Atlanta's stars shine again to reach Eastern Conference final
Atlanta United booked their spot on Sunday in the MLS Eastern Conference final with a 3-1 win over New York City at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Leading 1-0 from the first leg at Yankee Stadium, Josef Martinez's penalty and Miguel Almiron's delightful free-kick effectively put the game beyond City before halftime.
Maxime Chanot headed home for the visitors in the last minute of the first half to reduce the deficit, but despite Atlanta missing several chances in the second period, New York were left with too much to do. Martinez thumped one home late to seal the Five Stripes' first-ever postseason series win, 4-1 on aggregate.
TFW you advance to the Conference Championship! 😁😁#ATLvNYC // @Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/cWs6OcYirY
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 12, 2018
Tata Martino's side, having gone out to the Columbus Crew on penalties at the knockout stage after a goalless draw last season, had never progressed in the MLS postseason, but was soon on its way.
Halfway through the first period came the crucial moment. Darlington Nagbe superbly freed Franco Escobar down the right, and, with no support in the box, he was fouled by a sliding Ismael Tajouri-Shradi. From the spot, Martinez contrasted an elaborate run-up with a simple finish to double Atlanta's aggregate advantage.
Martino's side put an early seal on the win shortly before halftime. It was a bit of a self-inflicted wound for New York, as Yangel Herrera gifted the ball to Almiron in a dangerous position and was forced to clip the Paraguayan's heels to stop him. From the resultant free-kick, Almiron stepped up to bend a beauty into the corner.
The visitors did unexpectedly strike back almost immediately, as David Villa's free-kick deflected perfectly into Chanot's path, but any hopes of a sparked revival proved unfounded.
Nagbe and Almiron missed good chances to extend the lead, but Martinez banished the nerves with time ticking away when, after being sent one-on-one with City stopper Sean Johnson, he crashed the ball home to start the celebrations.
Atlanta will now face the team which beat them to the Supporters' Shield, the New York Red Bulls, in the Eastern Conference final later this month.