Written by Brian Pohl
Atlanta, GA- In just their second year as a club, Atlanta United has claimed its first MLS Cup with a 2-0 win over the Portland Timbers.
In a packed Mercedes-Benz Stadium with 73,019 fans inside, an MLS Cup record, the Five Stripes delivered the city of Atlanta its first championship since the 1995 Braves won the World Series.
Atlanta United head coach Tata Martino on what this championship means, “I think we just have to appreciate the work of everyone this season. The players and the coaching staff. Because even though we had some ups and downs on this team,” Martinez continued, “Everyone on this team contributed something and made sacrifices. This is a win that we want to celebrate because it’s been a long year.”
The Five Stripes were aggressive from the opening touch, pushing up the field with every chance they had to try and get ahead early. That aggressiveness would pay off right before halftime as League MVP Josef Martinez would put Atlanta ahead 1-0 in the 39th minute with a great move to get past Portland Timber keeper Jeff Antinella to get a wide-open net to tap in the go-ahead goal.
That goal would be all that Atlanta would need, as their defense, led by goalkeeper Brad Guzan, stifled any Portland attack. The Timbers could only muster 1 shot on goal in the first half, only ramping up their aggressiveness in the second half once they fell behind. It was too little too late for the Portland who had no answers for the Five Stripes.
Brad Guzan on winning the cup, “I’ve always said you never know when you are going to have an opportunity to be in a final. They don’t come around often and you’ve got to take advantage when you are a part of one when you’re in the moment. You’ve got to enjoy the lead up to it, you’ve got to enjoy the game, and when you win you get to enjoy the post-game celebration.”
Atlanta would score the final goal in the 54th minute, as Franco Escobar would strike off an assist from Miguel Almiron and Josef Martinez that sent the Mercedes-Benz Stadium crowd into a frenzy. The second goal would allow the Five Stripes to play more of a possession style, and they would coast to the finish line.
With a goal and an assist, Josef Martinez was awarded the Championship MVP award. Martinez has delivered one of the greatest seasons in MLS history and has capped it off with an MLS Cup and an MVP to go alongside it.
The city of Atlanta has been clamoring for a championship for the last 23 years, many times getting close, but not able to finish the job. Atlanta United certainly finished the job and will head into 2019 looking to defend their throne.
Rumors are rampant that this will be the final game coach Tata Martino will have with Atlanta United, and as Tata put it, “If I had to choose the way to leave somewhere…this is the best way.”
