Coming to the pitch with an evened up 1-1 aggregate score in the CONCACF Champions League Round of 16 against FC Motagua, Atlanta United was relentless on the offensive attack from the outset Tuesday night at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, GA and cruised to a 3-0 victory – 4-1 overall for the round.
It did take a while to plant the first score in the back of the net, but it was not for lack of trying. Eventually, in the 40th minute, Pity Martinez, off a beautiful setup from Josef Martinez, connected on his first of two goals to put the Five Stripes on top 1-0.
MARTINEZ!! ⚽️ Goal @ATLUTD! “Pity” Martínez scores the opener after a great combination and gives his team a 2-1 lead on the aggregate. | #SCCL2020 #ATLvMOT pic.twitter.com/dUf9WFg4i1
— Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League (@TheChampions) February 26, 2020
More to United’s dominancy Tuesday night, Coach Frank de Boer’s club outshot Motagua a lopsided 17-6 and held possession for more than 60% of the match. Motagua failed to even put a shot on target against the UTD defense. Assessing his team’s performance afterward, de Boer said it “gives me a lot of confidence.”
Not only did franchise face Josef Martinez record an assist on both of Pity’s goals Tuesday night, but he added a goal of his own and wrapped up the round versus Motagua with two goals and two assists on his ledger. The 2018 MLS MVP appears to be in peak form already and geared up for another huge season.
⚽ WHAT A GOAL! 🔥 @JosefMartinez17 and “Pity” Martínez combination once again!@ATLUTD 🇺🇸 #SCCL2020 #ATLvMO pic.twitter.com/uodzISNEhd
— Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League (@TheChampions) February 26, 2020
Speaking of the MLS regular season, it begins this upcoming Saturday evening for United, as they will travel to Tennessee to battle with debuting expansion team Nashville SC. That bout is set to begin at 8:00 PM ET and can be viewed on Fox Sports 1.
As for the Quarterfinals of the Champions League, which United advances on to via the win over Motagua, they await the victor of Club América (Mexico) vs Comunicaciones (Guatemala). That matchup is knotted at 1-1 heading into leg two Wednesday night.
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