Products You May Like
After a dominant first half, Atlanta took the lead just two minutes into the second half. Marcelino Moreno played a long ball over the top of LAFC’s backline that Barco ran down on the left side and raced towards goal with Martínez open to his right. Barco squared the ball across the box for Martínez, who one-timed a low shot into the bottom left corner and put Atlanta ahead 1-0. It was Martínez’s first goal in Mercedes-Benz Stadium since Oct. 24, 2019.
Atlanta United dictated the opening 20 minutes of the match, allowing LAFC just one shot from distance while consistently attacking their goal and playing predominantly in the final third. In the 26th minute, Barco sent a low-driven free kick bouncing across the six-yard box, but no Atlanta player could get a touch to it and LAFC goalkeeper Tomás Romero made a diving save to push it away at the last moment. In the 32nd minute Barco had another free kick that he attempted to curl over the wall, but it took a slight deflection and flew inches over the crossbar.
Atlanta had its best chance of the first half in the 35th minute. Santiago Sosa intercepted a pass and Barco immediately collected the loose ball and to lead a three-on-two breakaway with Martínez and Moreno. Barco passed to Martínez down the left side where he cut the ball on to his favored right foot and took a shot slightly off balance, but Romero rushed out to close down the shot and make the save.
LAFC appeared to take the lead in the 40th minute when Mamdou Fall headed in an Eduard Atuesta free kick, but the goal was disallowed after VAR ruled he was in an offside position.
SUBSCRIBE to our channel!
#UniteAndConquer