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Posted at 19:38 ET 25 November 2018 |
Atlanta United defender Franco Escobar (2) and New York Red Bulls defender Connor Lade (5) vie for control of the ball during an MLS playoff game on Sunday, November 25, 2018 in Atlanta, (AP Photo / John Bazemore)(Photo: The associated press)
ATLANTA (AP) – After the final whistle, Atlanta players lingered in the middle of the field, distributing cuddles and captivating more than 70,000 fans.
Everyone knew that it was a huge step forward towards the MLS Cup.
Everyone knew how much it meant for a city that has experienced so much sports sorrow.
Josef Martinez, Franco Escobar and Hector Villalba scored for Atlanta United by leading the New York Red Bulls, winners of the Fan Shield, 3-0 in the first leg of the Eastern Conference final. Sunday.
"We have just raised our game," said Captain Michael Parkhurst. "We raised the energy, the desire, the struggle."
Atlanta has a huge advantage for the second leg on Thursday night in Harrison, New Jersey. The winner of the two-game cumulative goals series will be the host of the MLS Cup final on Dec. 8 against Portland or Sporting Kansas City.
Already in its second and already very popular season, United hopes to give Atlanta its first professional sports championship since the Braves won the 1995 World Series. This remains the only major title in the city, its history being primarily defined by performance. such as the Falcons wasting 25 points in the Super Bowl.
"Play with passion," Parkhurst said. "Play for the city."
In front of a crowd of 70,016 spectators at the Mercedes-Benz stadium, United beat the Red Bulls for the first time in the history of the franchise after three defeats and a draw in their previous meetings. Atlanta has also got some redemption after losing the Supporters' Shield to New York on the last day of the regular season.
2018 Playoffs of Major League Soccer: Schedule, hours of play, TV news
Of course, it is not over yet.
Atlanta can afford to play cautiously in the second leg, but does not want to completely abandon the offensive style that has served it so well.
"You will play the game," Jeff Larentowicz said. "You can not sit on top of your goal and think you're going to defend for 90 minutes, it will not work."
A confrontation between the two best teams of MLS was a one-sided affair. Atlanta dominated much of the match and could have won even more. While a New York goal was canceled after a video review and goalkeeper Brad Guzan made a typing stop in the final minutes, this match was played mainly in the Red Bulls game.
United finished with a 14-6 advantage in shots. This last stop of Guzan was the only official shot of New York.
New York faces another flop in the playoffs. A founding member of the MLS and one of the most-titled league teams in the regular season – including three titles from Supporters' Shield over the last six years – the Red Bulls have never won the cup.
Now, they have to match their return performance in the semi-finals of the conference, after defeating a 1-0 defeat in Columbus by winning 3-0 at Red Bull Arena. New York has scored 14-2-1 at home this season, including a 2-0 win over Atlanta on Sept. 30.
"At home, we are very confident," said Sean Davis. "We love to play at home in front of our fans and we have been great all year round, it is important for us to score our first goal early and then push for the game to be played. to get the result. "
After controlling the game from the opening whistle, Atlanta finally managed to break through in the 32nd minute.
Of course, it's Martinez who got the honors.
Larentowicz prepared the game with an impressive pass in the penalty area, which allowed the winner of the Golden Boot and MVP finalist, who set an MLS scoring record with 31 goals in the regular season. Martinez found the ball between the two defenders after Tim Parker missed a header, placing him with his chest and shooting in the left post for the goalkeeper Luis Robles.
The Red Bulls seemed to tie him to the 53rd.
The ball was thrown into the box, where Aaron Long was able to direct him to the front of the net. A New York player let the ball slip – directly to Bradley Wright-Phillips, who was unmistakable, who fired a shot from right foot over a diving Guzan. But when referee Kevin Stott watched the video game again, he clearly showed Alex Muyl that he was behind the last defender of Atlanta while Wright-Phillips was following the shot.
"It took me by surprise," Parkhurst said. "Pleasantly."
Atlanta consolidated its lead in 72nd place, this time on a play staged by its other MVP contender, Miguel Almiron. He separated the defense at the top and sent a pass in the left wing to Julian Gressel, who crossed it in front of Martinez. The star of United went to his desires, knowing that Escobar was running alone on the opposite wing.
Escobar beat Robles to give United a two-goal advantage.
Villalba provided an extra cushion when Atlanta started, scoring a brilliant save with a brilliant shot that missed two defenders and left Robles flat.
With New York looking for a goal, United had two other good opportunities to score. Almiron opened the scoring on a 4-on-2 break and Villalba made a new attempt at the post after brilliantly escaping two players and finding himself alone against Robles.
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