Five Stripes Win 3-1

Martinez Records Hat Trick

ATLANTA, GA – The Five Stripes got back to its winning ways Saturday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.  Atlanta United won a disjointed match 3-1 against a tenacious Philadelphia Union team.

Josef Martinez recorded the hat trick.  He scored on a cross from Miguel Almiron and added two penalty kicks.  The hat trick was the fifth of his career, tying the Major League Soccer career record.  He accomplished the feat in only 30 games, making him the fastest to reach that level.

The key sequence of the match happened in the 19^th minute.  Martinez was fouled in the box.  The referee awarded Atlanta United a penalty kick.  Philadelphia protested the call and delayed the game, resulting in a second yellow card for Alejandro Bedoya.

Then Philadelphia’s Haris Medunjanin completely lost his cool.  He was given back to back yellow cards for dissension.  By rule, both players were “red card” ejected for getting two yellow cards in the same match.

Atlanta played the remainder of the match with a two-man advantage.  Statistically Atlanta dominated time of possession, shots, and shots on goals.  In fact, Atlanta United had an incredible thirty shots on game for the game.

Notes…Martinez assumed sole possession of the MLS scoring lead.  His 12 goals on the season are now three ahead of second place…The Mercedes-Benz Stadium roof was open for the first time this year…Attendance was 45,140…United next plays Charleston Battery on Wednesday as part of the US Open cup series.