Atlanta United: A win over LAFC and Josef Martinez scores
Is Atlanta United back? It sure looks that way.
After beating Columbus Crew SC last weekend, Atlanta United is finally on a winning streak. Sunday’s 1-0 home win over Los Angeles FC signifying a turn in direction for a club that has fallen short of their usual lofty standards this season.
For long stretches of the match, Atlanta United looked like the only club on the field. They enjoyed a significant advantage on the ball and opportunities created.
“It’s extremely important that we win. That’s what it is. For the team’s momentum, for their confidence, to win a game where it was really tough, not pretty at times, that says a lot about our team in there,” interim head coach Rob Valentino told reporters after the match. “I’m proud of them. I’m proud they found a way to win, when it was difficult at times.”
Against a talented LAFC side, Atlanta United rarely looked vulnerable. They had 59 percent possession and enjoyed an advantage in shots (16:9) and shots on goal (6:3).
With the win, Atlanta United is now just five points out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They have a 4-6-9 records (21 points). They host a floundering Toronto FC on Wednesday night.
The win caps off a big week for the club as Gonzalo Pineda was named head coach last Friday.
Atlanta United’s talisman scores
A Josef Martinez goal in the 47th minute off an Ezequiel Barco feed got Atlanta United the three points. Perhaps as big as the win was for the club, getting Martinez rolling is equally important.
If Martinez can begin to start scoring for Atlanta United, then a playoff run is certainly not out of the realm of possibility for this club.
“I mean he scores and that’s important. I think we’ve obviously missed him in the last game. He was huge in other ways in that match. I wouldn’t mind seeing him get in behind even more, but he gave everything he could,” Valentino said of Martinez.
“He gets the goal, nearly gets another one. You can that the fans love him, I love him and you can see that he’s almost back to his normal self. We will keep pushing him and he will keep challenging to want more.”