Atlanta takes a commanding 3-0 lead on the New York Red Bulls
Atlanta chose the best possible chance to exercise their demons. The first leg of the Eastern Conference Finals they completely dominated the New York Red Bulls and beat them for the first time in their short history. In a another crowd of 70,016 packed into Mercedes-Benz Stadium creating a defending hostile environment, the host were able to put themselves in a good position to advance to the MLS Cup on December 8th.
The first thirty minutes were controlled by Atlanta United with possession and build-up from the back. Un-like the last meeting in New Jersey where the Red Bulls used their vaunted high press to harass and disrupt the build-up, the Red Bulls decided on a more compact formation that packed in the mid-field and left the wings open to protect the goal. This eventually broke down as Atlanta was able to break through with the Josef Martínez goal.
Atlanta United head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino spoke the performance and result, “First thing we can say is that we finally beat them. I think the team did a good job tonight,and we were solid.”
His initial post match thoughts highlighted only a couple areas of weakness, particularly the “two situations on set pieces.” He noted that, “The first one gets called back by VAR” which changed the outlook drastically. Early in the second half, it looked as though the Red Bulls would get the coveted “away goal”, however VAR overturned the goal. After the review it was determined the Red Bull midfielder Alex Muyl was in an offside position and obstructing Atlanta goalie Brad Guzan’s view.
Martino summed it up with, “It was a team win … I think the victory is deserved.”
Scoring Details
Atlanta United 1 New York Red Bulls 0 – Josef Martínez (Jeff Larentowicz) 32′
Jeff Larentowicz moved unmarked deep into the Red Bulls’ defense into the right wing and delivered a cross into the box. Red Bull defender Tim Parker went up to intercept with a header and missed, allowing it to come right off the chest of Martínez. Martínez then settled, letting the ball bounce twice and forcing New York goalie Luis Robles commit before driving into the right corner.
WHAT A WAY TO TAKE THE LEAD
Jeff Larentowicz ?@JosefMartinez17 ? https://t.co/0IRULT0999
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) November 25, 2018
Atlanta United 2 New York Red Bulls 0 – Franco Escobar (Julian Gressel, Miguel Almirón) 72′
Miguel Almirón created the spacing and drew the defense when he split the Red Bull defense with a fantastic through ball to streaking Julian Gressel. Gressel crossed back through the box where Josef Martínez drew the attention of the defenders but was unable to collect the cross. The rolled into Escobar who ripped a first touch left-footed shot into the upper right corner of the goal.
MAKE. IT. TWO. ?
Miggy ➡️ Julian ➡️ Franco https://t.co/udTwdW6Q1J
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) November 25, 2018
Atlanta United 3 New York Red Bulls 0 – Tito Villalba (Franco Escobar) 90+5′
Franco Escobar found Tito Villalba with space in the midfield thirty yards from goal. Villalba took the pass and drove to goal and from the edge of the box, he bent a left-footed roller into the left corner that left Luis Robles flat footed watching the ball roll into the back of the net.
AN ABSOLUTE ROCKET ?@TitoVillalba15 makes it 3!!! https://t.co/07t1zC9yZB
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) November 26, 2018
Squad Details
Franco Escobar played his first match against the Red Bulls. Injured for the first match-up and on the bench for the last match, Escobar found himself with an opportunity to exploit a Red Bull weakness. MLS XI best Kemar Lawrence was a late scratch from the starting line-up due to an injury picked-up during training. His replacement, Connor Lade, is not the same caliber as Lawrence and Escobar was able to put in an effective performance against the replacement.
Team captain, defender Michael Parkhurst, praised Escobar’s performance, “Franco was the deserved man of the match today. I thought that he was immense for us. He won so many 50/50 balls for us. When you play against the Red Bulls, you have to win those 50/50s orat least a good chunk of them, and he was so important for us there. He took his goal fantastically. Thankfully, it was on his left foot –that’s his goal scoring foot –so a massive performance from him.”
Josef Martínez continues his record breaking season with another MLS single-season record. With his first half goal he now has 34 total goals; thirty-one in the regular season and three in the postseason. He passes Roy Lassiter who had 33 in 1996.
Martínez also had a touching moment after the match when spotted his grandmother in the crowd. He decided to give his shirt to her in an inspired moment of emotion.
Early in the week he penned a Players’ Tribune piece praising Atlanta and Miguel Almirón. He closed by describing what Atlanta means to him.
“Atlanta is the supporters, who make the Mercedes-Benz Stadium the best place I’ve ever played soccer,” Martinez said. “Atlanta is my teammates, the coaching staff, the friends I’ve made on this team. Atlanta is family. Atlanta means family.”
Best player in the MLS?
Ahead of a potential trip to the @MLS cup, @JosefMartinez17 gives high praise to his @ATLUTD teammate, Miguel Almirón.https://t.co/5Q8tNu8ZIt
— The Players' Tribune (@PlayersTribune) November 19, 2018
Line-ups
Atlanta United
- GK: Brad Guzan
- Defenders (3): Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, Michael Parkhurst, Jeff Larentowicz
- Midfielders (5): Greg Garza (Chris McCann – 83’), Eric Remedi, Darlington Nagbe , Julian Gressel, Franco Escobar
- Forwards (2): Josef Martinez (Tito Villalba – 77′), Miguel Almirón (Ezequiel Barco – 86′)
Unused Substitutes
- Alec Kann, Miles Robinson, Kevin Kratz, Brandon Vazquez
New York Red Bulls
- GK:Luis Robles
- Defenders (4): Connor Lade, Aaron Long, Tim Parker, Michael Murillo
- Midfielders (2): Sean Davis (Brian White – 87’), Tyler Adams
- Midfielders (3): Daniel Royer (Derrick Etienne – 71’), Alejandro Romero Gamarra, Alex Muyl (Marc Rzatkowski – 84’)
- Forward (1): Bradley Wright-Phillips
Unused Substitutes
- Ryan Meara, Fidel Escobar, Andreas Ivan, Cristian Casseres Jr.
Up Next
Atlanta United travels to New Jersey on Thursday, Nov. 29 at 7:30 p.m. to complete the second leg of the Eastern Conference Finals at Red Bull Arena.
