Atlanta United: 5 matches to rewatch during hiatus
By Drew Hubbard
3. 2018 – The comeback: Atlanta United Vs. San Jose Earthquakes
Atlanta United’s 2018 contest against the San Jose Earthquakes match started off weird for fans in Georgia.
More from MLS Multiplex
- Javier Milei Elected in Argentina: Potential Impacts on MLS and Signings of Argentine Players
- Orlando City and New York City FC in the Battle for Matías Arezo; Grêmio Enters Negotiations! Who Will Come Out on Top?
- USA, Honduras, Panama, and Canada Close in on a Spot in the 2024 Copa America
- De Gea Turns Down Al-Nassr’s Lucrative Offer: Speculation Points to Possible Reunion with Messi at Inter Miami
- Messi’s Magnetic Impact in the United States
Hosted in San Jose, the game kicked off at 11:08 pm during the final stretch of games in the 2018 regular season. And at one point, the Five Stripes were down 4-1 in the 67th minute after Chris Wondolowski scored what appeared to be the game-winner.
Then VAR came into play ruling a handball in the box that led to San Jose’s goal. That not only ruled out Wondolowski’s goal but also gave the visitors a penalty kick at 3-1 down with time to mount a comeback. Josef Martinez made no mistake from the spot to make it 3-2 in the 70th minute and Miguel Almiron leveled the match up just three minutes later.
The Five Stripes used that momentum to grab the game-winner in extra time as Martinez headed down a perfect Almiron cross like they had done so many times in 2018. This match had it all: world-class goals, a comeback and VAR controversy. But even though it was one of the best in 2018, there was still more history to make in the coming months.