Atlanta United Communications
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Sept. 19, 2018)
— Atlanta United stormed back in the second half to score three goals in the final 20 minutes to defeat San Jose Earthquakes 4-3 Saturday night at Avaya Stadium. Josef Martinez scored twice, including the game-winner in second-half stoppage time, and Miguel Almirón added another as Atlanta picked up its 10th road win of the season to break the league’s all-time record for road wins in the post-shootout era. The win also secured a top four finish in the Eastern Conference, guaranteeing the club at least one home MLS Cup Playoff game.
.
San Jose jumped out to an early lead thanks to Nick Lima in the 13th minute. The defender made a run deep into the box to join the attack and snuck to the far post to head in a cross from Shea Salinas for the 1-0 lead. A half hour later, Danny Hoesen doubled the lead for the Earthquakes after getting through on a long ball from San Jose’s half. Hoesen’s original shot attempt was saved by Brad Guzan, but on the ensuing rebound Hoesen chipped a ball to the far post to make it 2-0.
.
Atlanta was able to get one back right before halftime with Tito Villalba sending in a screamer during first-half stoppage time. Quickly hitting on a counterattack, Martinez held up a ball for Julian Gressel, who then sent a cross toward the far edge of the box for Villalba. The Argentine-born forward one-timed his shot into the upper right corner, leaving JT Marcinkowski no chance to make a save.
.
In the 58th minute, San Jose again went up by two goals as Vako Qazaishvili maneuvered through the Atlanta defense and struck with a left-footed shot into the left corner for a 3-1 lead.
.
Then, San Jose appeared to take a 4-1 lead about 10 minutes later from Chris Wondolowski, but video review overturned a call on the build-up of the play, awarding Atlanta a penalty due to a handling infraction on Magnus Eriksson. Martinez stepped up to the spot and calmly scored with a low shot to the right corner to cut the deficit to one.
.
Just three minutes later, Almirón equalized after latching onto a loose ball in the box. Martinez capped the comeback by heading in a cross from Almirón in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Ezequiel Barco played Almirón free along the left wing and he immediately sent a cross for the far post that Martinez timed perfectly to head back into the net.
.
Atlanta United (18-5-6, 60 points) returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 22 when it hosts Real Salt Lake at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (7:00 p.m., FOX Sports Southeast, Sports Radio 92-9 The Game).
