ATLANTA — Atlanta United defeated D.C. United 2-0 Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in front of 44,405 fans.
Pity Martinez scored the game-winning goal in the 89th minute while Josef Martinez scored his 16th goal of the season to seal the victory and extend his scoring streak to seven consecutive matches, tying the third-longest streak in league history. With the win, Atlanta reached second place in the Eastern Conference and extended its home unbeaten streak to nine matches.
Atlanta assembled a dominant first half filled with several close scoring opportunities but couldn’t find the back of the net despite holding 72% possession and firing nine shots. As Atlanta continued to pressure D.C. in the second half, Josef had an opportunity to hand Atlanta the lead in the 72nd minute when he was brought down in the penalty area by Russell Canouse. However, Martinez’s penalty attempt curled over the crossbar for just his second penalty miss of his MLS career.
Both sides pushed for the breakthrough deep into the second half as goalkeeper Brad Guzan made a crucial diving save in the 75th minute to preserve the tie. Emerson Hyndman nearly picked out the top right corner with a shot from the right side of the box in the 87th minute, but his attempt creeped just over the goal.
Atlanta finally found the go-ahead goal in the 89th minute when Julian Gressel played Darlington Nagbe into the 18-yard box down the right side. Just before reaching the end line, Nagbe sent a looping ball into the middle of the six-yard box where an unmarked Pity Martinez buried a header into the net.
Minutes later in stoppage time, the Martinez’s connected for the game-clinching goal. Pity Martinez received a pass inside the center circle with a defender on his back and quickly lobbed the ball over D.C.’s backline. Josef Martinez caught up to the loose ball and dribbled into the box where he chipped Bill Hamid.
Atlanta United (11-8-3, 36 points) returns to action Friday, July 26 against Los Angeles Football Club at Banc of California Stadium (10:00 p.m. EST, ESPN, Sports Radio 92-9 The Game).
