Atlanta United celebrate their 6-1 win on Sunday against Minnesota United FC (photo credit: MLS)
To say Josef Martinez put a damper on Minnesota United’s home MLS debut would be a Mall of America-sized understatement.
The Atlanta United forward scored three times to lead his team to a 6-1 rout of their expansion counterparts at a snowy TCF Bank Stadium on Sunday.
The Venezuelan international opened the account inside of three minutes to put the Loons in a ditch that only grew deeper as the match progressed. Martinez tallied in the 27th and 75th minutes as well while Miguel Almiron collected two goals of his own in the 13th and 52ndminutes. Jacob Peterson’s 90+3 minute goal only served to throw one last handful of snow in Minnesota’s face.
Minnesota’s sole moment of success came in the 30th minute when Kevin Molino scored from the spot moments after Jeff Larentowicz fouled him in the box.
Atlanta’s six-goal effort allowed them to seize their first MLS victory as they improved to 1-1-0 (3 points). The punishing defeat kept Minnesota out of the win column for the second straight week, and have a 0-0-2 (0 points) mark to show for it.
Sunday’s match featured no fewer than two MLS records, and both of them were dubious ones for the hosts. Minnesota became the first team in MLS history to concede 11 goals in two games while Atlanta’s six goals were the most scored by an expansion team.
With snow accumulating at a consistent clip in Minneapolis, a high-visibility orange ball was employed for the match – and Atlanta wasted no time punching it in Minnesota’s net.
Not long after the Loons’ hearty supporters their seats, Almiron found Martinez in the final third, where the elusive forward buried it to give the guests the early lead.
That lead extended itself only six minutes later. Rookie Julian Gressel linked up with Almiron, and architect of the opening goal took his shot and found pay dirt before a stunned Minnesota crowd.
Minnesota was given a chance to regroup at the 25th minute mark as play was stopped for snow removal by the match officials. But the brief interlude hardly did any good for the hosts.
After play resumed, the Loons endeavored to find their footing – both figuratively and literally – but there was just one simple problem: Atlanta’s attack didn’t slow down in the slightest. In fact, the guests took advantage yet again moments before the half-hour mark when Yamil Asad slotted a pass to Martinez to score his second goal of the half.
All hope, though, was not lost for the hosts, despite the scoreline. Two minutes after Martinez’s encore, Molino was fouled inside the box by Jeff Larentowicz, to set up a strike from the spot the Loons winger converted to narrow the gap.
Molino’s goal seemed to spark the Loons attack back to life, as they pressed for a second before the break. But that energy was all but gone in the second half, as Almiron whitewashed any thoughts of a comeback with a brilliantly-hit ball from the edge of the area in the 52nd minute while Martinez waved his wand in the 75th minute when he converted a Hector Villalba ball for the hat trick.
Peterson furthered Minnesota’s embarrassment in moments before the final whistle when he headed home a Greg Garza pass with ease.
Minnesota will attempt to lick their wounds ahead of Saturday’s match at Colorado while Atlanta hopes its offense stays just as dangerous at home vs. Chicago on Saturday.
Atlanta United FC
Minnesota United FC
