Atlanta United Vs Nashville SC: 3 things we learned – Season-altering injury

Atlanta United defeated Nashville SC 2-1 in Nashville’s MLS debut. Here are three things we learned, including one rather horrible injury.

Atlanta United traveled to Nashville SC and snagged a 2-1 Opening Day win against the expansion side. Ezequiel Barco and Emerson Hyndman scored the goals for Atlanta while recent acquisition Walker Zimmerman scored Nashville’s first-ever MLS goal in front of a record-breaking crowd.

It was a joyous occasion for everyone on hand as Nashville fans experienced their first-ever MLS match. Atlanta fans traveled in droves and contributed significantly to the 59,000+ people in attendance, all the while watching their team secure its first-ever Opening Day victory. General fans of MLS welcomed the new club while watching nationally on FOX.

Yet, not every aspect of Saturday night was pleasant. Around the 70th minute, one of the league’s brightest stars and the face of Atlanta United collapsed on the pitch in pain. Josef Martinez appeared to injure his knee after a collision with a Nashville defender. Atlanta’s trainers tended to Martinez, who actually re-entered the game after a few moments. Barely a minute later, Martinez collapsed again and was subbed off for Adam Jahn. Atlanta announced the following day that Martinez tore his ACL and will miss the rest of the season.

Here is what we learned from Saturday night’s match.

3. Josef Martinez injury

After a weekend stacked full of terrific MLS action, including many fantastic goals and two new franchises playing their first matches, Josef Martinez’s injury may be the biggest storyline to emergy. It is unfortunate for not only Atlanta United, but MLS as it celebrates its 25th year of existence. Now, it will have to do so without arguably the best striker in league history.

Following the match and initial impression of the injury, Atlanta head coach Frank de Boer actually stated that depending on the severity of the injury, he would ask the front office for a striker in Martinez’s place. This was before the team learned it was an ACL tear, but with that information, it is safe to assume the front office will look to sign a new striker.

Atlanta only have one other true striker on the roster, Adam Jahn. Over the last year, Atlanta traded Romario Williams to the Columbus Crew and lost Brandon Vazquez to Nashville SC in the expansion draft. De Boer is asking the front office for another striker not because Jahn cannot score goals, but because the team needs bodies at that position.

Club America is looming in the CONCACAF Champions League, the Five Stripes harbored hopes of an MLS Cup challenge, while they will also look to defend their U.S. Open Cup title. If the front office can find a player even half as successful as Martinez, the season may turn out fine. But whoever they find, for Atlanta fans, 2020 will never reach its full potential without The King himself.