Atlanta United win MLS Cup, defeat Portland
ATLANTA (Dec. 8, 2018) — Atlanta United won MLS Cup Saturday night by defeating Portland Timbers 2-0 in front of an MLS record 73,019 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Josef Martinez was the match MVP after scoring a goal and adding an assist on Franco Escobar’s second-half goal. Atlanta United and the City of Atlanta are hosting a parade through downtown Atlanta on Monday, Dec. 10, beginning at 10 a.m. The parade will begin at the corner of Peachtree St. and Baker St. and culminate in The Home Depot Backyard for a pep rally beginning at noon. The full route and details can be found here.
In the 39th minute, Martinez got on the end of a loose ball in the box. He took a couple touches to round Jeff Attinella and scored the opening goal of the night. Michael Parkhurst won the ball on a sliding tackle in Portland’s half. The ball ricocheted into the path of Martinez, who got by one Portland defender and the keeper for his fourth goal of the MLS Cup Playoffs, his 35th of the season.
Portland nearly equalized in the 43rd minute, after Sebastian Blanco got to the end line. He delivered a cross into the six-yard box, where Jeremy Ebobisse rose above the Atlanta defense, but Brad Guzan made a brilliant diving save to his right to keep Atlanta in the lead.
Atlanta doubled its lead in the 54th minute as Escobar got on the end of a Martinez flicked header at the back post and guided the ball past Attinella. Martinez was fouled to earn a free kick, which Miguel Almiron swung into the box. The Venezuelan striker rose in the box to win the header. Escobar gambled at the back post and delivered his second goal of the postseason to make it a 2-0 Atlanta lead.
