Atlanta United Vs FC Cincinnati: 5 things we learned

Atlanta United Vs FC Cincinnati: 5 things we learned – Time to panic?

ATLANTA, GA MARCH 10: Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan gestures to the referee during the MLS match between FC Cincinnati and Atlanta United FC on March 10th, 2019 at Mercedes Benz Stadium Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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ATLANTA, GA MARCH 10: Atlanta’s Josef Martinez (7) prepares to take a shot during the MLS match between FC Cincinnati and Atlanta United FC on March 10th, 2019 at Mercedes Benz Stadium Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Josef Martinez is back… sort of

The 2018 MLS League MVP and Golden Boot winner scored his first MLS goal of the season. It took less than five minutes to get the job done and Josef Martinez opened his MLS account for 2019. With that goal, Martinez has three goals in five matches for Atlanta United across all competitions so far this year.

The only caveat to Martinez’s goal is that he scored just the once. On the last slide I wrote about Atlanta’s lack of vertical passing and chances in the box. It certainly affected Martinez’s ability to score a second or third goal, so it’s too early to tell how many goalscoring looks the Venezuelan will get this season.

It’s important to keep things in perspective with this note of interest regarding Martinez and his scoring: in 2018 Martinez started the season with one goal, three shots, and two shots on goal in the first two games of the season. This year Martinez started with one goal, six shots, and two shots on goal through the team’s first two MLS games. There is a long way to go.

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