Atlanta United: 5 matches to rewatch during hiatus

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ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 25: Franco Escobar #2 of Atlanta United celebrates scoring the second goal against the New York Red Bulls with Miguel Almiron #10 in the second half of the MLS Eastern Conference Finals between Atlanta United and the New York Red Bulls at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

2. 2018 – Punch the ticket: Atlanta United Vs. New York Red Bulls

Atlanta United had never beaten the New York Red Bulls before the 2018 playoffs. The Red Bulls snatched the Supporters’ Shield away from Atlanta. There was growing animosity between the two teams, with a strange manager handshake dilemma. And it was the first leg of the Eastern Conference Final.

The game lived up to all the hype. Like so many times, Josef Martinez got the scoring started in the 32nd minute. Jeff Larentowicz floated in a perfect ball which Martinez settled and fired past Luis Robles. New York got on the board in the 53rd minute courtesy of Bradley Wright-Phillips. Or so they thought. VAR reversed the goal for obstructing the view of the keeper in an offside position to keep it at 1-0.

Franco Escobar doubled the Five Stripes’ lead in the 71st minute to put the game away and turn focus to leg two in Red Bull Arena. However, Mercedes Benz stadium celebrated once more. Hector ‘Tito’ Villalba scored the third and final goal in added time to secure Atlanta of both the victory and an unassailable lead ahead of the second leg.

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