Atlanta United wins MLS Cup in its second season

ATLANTA — An MLS Cup-record 73,019 fans held their collective breath for the final 41 minutes of the Atlanta United’s match against Portland Timbers, but the train horn that reverberated through Mercedes-Benz Stadium at full time cued a collective sigh that morphed into an impassioned yell. It sealed with lock and key the undeniable fact that Atlanta United were officially MLS Cup champions.

Josef Martinez scored the 35th goal of his historic 2018 season and Miguel Almiron’s bending free kick in the second half set up a score from Franco Escobar, the breakout player of the 2018 playoffs for Atlanta United. Atlanta United beat the Western Conference champion Portland Timbers 2-0 on Saturday night.

“I think, first and foremost, it’s huge for the city,” said goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who saved three shots in the match. “It’s big for us as a team, being our second year, but most importantly, it’s huge for the city. These fans and these supporters have been behind us since Day 1, when this was just an idea. To be able to now give them a championship after two years is huge.”

Atlanta United (22-7-6) is the second MLS expansion club to reach the MLS Cup in two seasons after Chicago Fire did so and won the cup in 1998. Atlanta United beat a Portland (15-11-9) squad that won the 2015 MLS Cup and still featured eight members from that team. Atlanta United midfielder Darlington Nagbe was a member of the 2015 championship team and spent his entire professional career with Portland Timbers prior to being traded to Atlanta United in the offseason.

The match was the last for Atlanta United head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino, who has been reportedly linked to the Mexican National Team head coaching position. Martinez and Almiron, who finished Nos. 1 and 2 in league MVP voting, played on the same pitch in the same uniform for possibly the last time. Both players have been linked to negotiations with clubs in Europe. The tandem comprises two of Atlanta United’s original designated players signed before the 2017 inaugural season.

Three total shots and one shot on goal from Almiron left Atlanta United empty through the first 39 minutes of the match. A slide tackle from Atlanta United center back and captain Michael Parkhurst prevented a Portland Timbers clearance and counter-attack, but also set up the first goal.

Parkhurst slid, leading with his right leg, and nudged the ball back to Martinez. The 2018 MLS MVP found himself behind every Portland Timbers player and eventually goalkeeper Jeff Attinella. He scored from an acute angle and gave Atlanta United a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.

Atlanta United held the advantage in time of possession in the first half with 56.8 percent and held Portland to one shot. Atlanta United also won 72.5 percent of duels in the first half.

Guzan saved the only shot Portland delivered on target in the 43rd minute. Portland Timbers midfielder Sebastian Blanco possessed the ball near the Atlanta United goal and delivered a volley to striker Jeremy Ebobisse, who delivered a headed shot on target.

“The atmosphere was unbelievable,” Guzan said. “We knew it was going to be loud and enthusiastic from the moment we walked across the field and we were still in our suits and there was probably only 1,000 people in here. So we knew it was going to be a special night and they sure as heck didn’t disappoint. For me personally, this is up there with the top moments (in my career). You never know when you’re going to be in another final. You never know if you’re ever going to have this opportunity again so to be able to win it, you couldn’t ask for anything more.”

In the two teams’ previous meeting, Atlanta outshot Portland 20-12. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. Atlanta’s ability to resist Portland’s counters was in part because of the five-man back line of defenders it featured. Parkhurst, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez and Jeff Larentowicsz were able to clear the ball and generate attacks while fullbacks Franco Escobar and Greg Garza pushed up on the offensive.

Escobar’s second goal in five starts during the 2018 MLS Cup Playoff, his first postseason since coming stateside this season. The 23-year-old Argentinian delivered with his right foot after Martinez redirected a free kick from Almiron in the 54th minute. Escobar scored one goal in 22 regular season appearances.

Atlanta United out-shot Portland Timbers 9-8, while Portland out-possessed Atlanta by a four-percent margin over full time.

Josef Martinez was named the MLS Cup MVP, capping off a season in which he set MLS records for single-season goals (31) and career MLS hat tricks (6).