Atlanta United Vs New York City FC: 3 things we learned – History made

Atlanta United defeated New York City FC 2-1 on Sunday afternoon in Atlanta. See what we learned from the important Eastern Conference showdown.

Atlanta United overcame a visiting New York City FC on Sunday afternoon in a key Eastern Conference clash. Thanks to a Josef Martinez brace, Atlanta secured three points by a score of 2-1. Heber scored NYCFC’s lone goal.

The 2-1 scoreline is misleading. Atlanta burst out of the gates to begin the match. Within the first five minutes, the Five Stripes registered three shots. Although things slowed down as the first half progressed, Atlanta picked up the pace shortly before the half. In a seven-minute span starting in the 38th minute, Atlanta recorded five shots, including Martinez’s first goal.

After half-time Atlanta continued to attack, recording three shots in the first eight minutes with two landing on target. Martinez found his second goal of the afternoon when Gonzalo Martinez drew a penalty, and while Heber pulled one back for the visitors, Atlanta were able to hold on for the three points.

Following Sunday’s results, Atlanta sit second in the Eastern Conference with 42 points. They are three points behind leaders, the Philadelphia Union, but have a game-in-hand. NYCFC remain in fourth with 38 points but have three games in hand on Philadelphia. Both teams will meet each other again in a few weeks.

Here are three things learned from Sunday’s big win.

3. Martinez makes history… again

Josef Martinez continues to make MLS history. He already has the records for most career hat-tricks and goals in a single season, but after Sunday, he can add two more records to the list. With his brace over NYCFC, Martinez scored in 10 consecutive matches, beating the record set by Diego Valeri in 2017 and himself last season. He also scored his 69th and 70th goals, the most of any player in a three-year span.

What’s more impressive is Martinez still has nine games left this season to increase these records. It’s also important to note that between injuries in 2017 and international duty across his Atlanta tenure, Martinez has only played in 76 regular-season games. That’s roughly more than two full MLS seasons. He is scoring at a rate of almost a goal per game, which is absolutely outrageous.

Martinez will be the first to say he could have scored more than just two on Sunday, too. He recorded five shots on goal out of seven total shots. In fact, he probably would have scored more had he not been injured. The Venezuelan international picked up an adductor injury during training on Monday, forcing him to miss Atlanta’s Open Cup semi-final win in Orlando. Most thought he would miss the match against NYCFC but started and scored a brace instead.

Atlanta’s top striker is on a tear right now and it will be interesting to see if he can continue his pace. As a result of Sunday’s brace, Martinez is now just three goals away from Golden Boot leader Carlos Vela and might actually be able to threaten for a Golden Boot repeat.