Ezequiel Barco scored and added an assist on a goal by Emerson Hyndman to carry Atlanta United to a 2-1 victory over Cincinnati on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
In front of an announced attendance of 69,301, 10th largest in MLS history, Pity Martinez contributed two assists as the Five Stripes improved to 2-0.
For at least one game, Atlanta United showed that a team effort could overcome the loss of the injured Josef Martinez, who was the subject of a chant in the seventh minute and received stadium-wide cheers from the crowd when shown on the halo board a few minutes later.
“You can’t replace Josef so other players have to step in,” Atlanta United manager Frank de Boer said. “Two times in a row Emerson Hyndman and Ezequiel Barco did a good job replacing those goals. That’s very positive Pity played really well and created the first goal. Overall, the whole team gave a great effort. I know we can play much better.”
However, the team lost centerback Laurence Wyke, who was forced off just before halftime. De Boer said he took a knock to the head and was dizzy.
Atlanta United will play on Wednesday in the thin air of Mexico City against Club America in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinals series.
Playing a team that preferred to sit deep, Atlanta United dominated possession (57.8%) and duels (57.1), a stat that de Boer emphasizes. Though they were outshot by Cincinnati (14-8), they matched them in shots on target (4).
De Boer made two changes, both out of necessity, to the starting 11 compared to last week’s 2-1 win at Nashville. Playing in a 3-4-3 formation, Brad Guzan started in goal with a centerback trio of Wyke, in his first start with the team, Fernando Meza and Anton Walkes. Brooks Lennon started at right wingback with Jake Mulraney on the left. Eric Remedi and Hyndman started in central midfield with Barco and Pity Martinez ahead of them. Lastly, Adam Jahn started at striker in place of the injured Josef Martinez.
After a mostly dull 16 minutes, Atlanta United began to find space down the right, defender Greg Garza’s side. A shot by Barco was saved. A shot by Jahn went over the bar.
And then, in the 21st minute, Pity Martinez, after a pass from Lennon, beat several defenders down the right and put a cross into the mouth of the goal where Barco was there to slide it in for a 1-0 lead. It was Barco’s second goal and Pity Martinez’s first assist. Barco celebrated by holding up seven fingers to represent Josef Martinez’s jersey number.
“It was 90% his goal,” de Boer said of Pity Martinez. “It was really nice to see.”
Atlanta United lost yet another defender, and the second in as many games, when Wyke was forced off in the 43rd minute. He and Cincinnati’s Jurgen Locadia bumped heads earlier in the half. George Campbell came on for Wyke. It was Campbell’s MLS debut. Last week, Franco Escobar was forced off at halftime with a muscular injury. Wyke came on in his debut. Centerback Miles Robinson and fullback Edgar Castillo are also out with injuries. Castillo is close to returning.
“He looked a little bit nervous but he can also be proud of his debut,” de Boer said of Campbell. “Look forward to hopefully a lot more.”
Atlanta United increased its lead to 2-0 on a goal from Hyndman, his second in two games, in the 55th minute. After Atlanta United passed the ball around, Hyndman moved into a pocket of space in the penalty box. Barco found him. Hyndman turned and ripped a right-footed shot into the near corner. It was Barco’s first assist this season. Pity Martinez was also given an assist.
Cincinnati cut Atlanta United’s lead to 2-1 on a knuckling shot by Yuya Kubo from 20 yards in the 64th minute. The ball’s swerve, first left and then right, left Guzan watching.
Matheus Rossetto made his debut in the 67th minute when he came on for Pity Martinez in what was a tactical move with an eye toward Wednesday’s game. Rossetto only re-joined the team for training on Friday after spending the past few days in Brazil working to secure his visa.
Southern Fried Soccer Podcasts:
Can be found on Google, iTunes and TuneIn
For more content about Atlanta United:
Follow me on twitter @DougRobersonAJC
On Facebook at Atlanta United News Now
Atlanta United coverage on the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Have a question? Email me at droberson@ajc.com
About the Author
