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HARRISON, NJ (AP) – The whistle has sounded, putting an end to the inevitable, and the Atlanta United players have turned to December 8 – a chance to win the second sports title professional of the history of the city
In its second season alone, Atlanta will host Portland in Major League Soccer's championship game, ahead of what will surely be the biggest crowd in the MLS Cup, with more than 70,000 spectators at the Mercedes-Benz stadium.
"It's not fair for us in this locker room and this club and this organization – it's a lot bigger than that," said goalkeeper Brad Guzan after Atlanta's 3-1 win. on the New York Red Bulls on Thursday. "It's going to be electrifying, it's going to be fantastic at so many different levels."
Guzan's bad shot led to a goal that made no sense in the fourth minute of the break time of the second half. Daniel Royer returned the ball in front of the goals and Tim Parker threw the ball to give the Red Bulls a 1-0 poor enough after the loss to Atlanta last weekend.
One of the league's original teams, New York recorded the best regular season record for the third time in six years and set a points record in the league, but did not win any title at MLS in its 23 seasons. The Red Bulls reached the conference finals five times but advanced for the only time in 2008, when they lost the MLS Cup match against Columbus.
"They should be proud," said coach Chris Armas, who took office in early July when Jesse Marsch left to become assistant to the Bundesliga's twin club RB Leipzig. "It makes you wonder, what else can I do, how can I get better, where can I improve?"
Atlanta's only professional sports title was provided by the Braves at the 1995 World Series. United was eliminated by Columbus on penalties in the first playoff round of its expansion. Although impressed by the organization and the resources of the team, the players were surprised by the quick success of this year.
"We did not know it would take us that far," said defender Greg Garza.
With a temperature of about 40 ° C and an announced crowd of 22,137 spectators late at night in the fall, Atlanta played with five men at the back and often ten behind the ball in a strategy classic defensive of "parking the bus". When Atlanta players fell to the ground following challenges, they often stayed inactive for long periods of time as time passed the clock.
Defending champions Josef Martinez, Franco Escobar and Hector Villalba scored home goals in the first leg last Sunday in front of 70.016. Atlanta set an MLS record of 901,033 in the regular season, averaging 53,002. The MLS Cup record was 61,316 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts for the 1-0 overtime victory over New England in the Galaxy in 2002.
The Atlanta crowd fueled a 13-2-4 record at home in MLS this year, including a 48-20 goal difference. According to a change in playoff format, MLS is considering all playoff playoff contests in a playoff from 2019.
"We would have played every home game this year," said midfielder Tyler Adams.
Martinez almost scored 12 seconds, which would have forced the Red Bulls to score at least five goals to advance through the tiebreaker.
Jeff Larenowicz played the ball of his half of the field at Darlington Nagbe, who took a touch to slow it down and sprinted after. Adams' release attempt ricocheted from Nagbe to Martinez, who overtook Parker and fired a shot from the left foot just inside the penalty area. Luis Robles made a good save with his right leg to preserve New York's chances.
"There was a part of me thinking, man, maybe tonight is going to work tonight will be our night," Robles said.
New York seemed to go from before a moment to the 80th minute. After a corner kick and a short initial punch, Guzan had the ball with both hands over his head when Aaron Long hit him and sent the ball. But the goal was denied during an eye exam.
Atlanta coach Tata Martino, who has already announced his departure after the season, will have one more game at the club level. He seems ready to take over Mexico's national team.
Adams, who will likely play his last game for the Red Bulls, was one of the last players to leave the field, taking the time to chat with his family and fans. The 19-year-old midfielder will probably be transferred to RB Leipzig.
"Let's hope we know it in the next few days," he said.
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