Atlanta United’s win big for MLS profile

ATLANTA — Josef Martinez scored on a penalty kick in the 65th minute after being stopped on his first attempt, and Atlanta United FC gave Major League Soccer rare bragging rights over Liga MX by beating Club América 3-2 for the Campeones Cup on Wednesday night.

The matchup between the reigning MLS Cup champions and the Liga MX powerhouse that won the Campeón de Campeones last month was an entertaining, back-and-forth match before 40,128 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, split nearly evenly between red-clad Atlanta fans and yellow-wearing América supporters.

United grabbed an early lead, América surged ahead early in the second half, but the home team pulled off a comeback of its own to add another trophy to its case.

This one felt especially good for the United States-based MLS, which has struggled to make inroads against North America’s dominant soccer country. Liga MX teams have won all 11 CONCACAF Champions League titles, and Tigres UANL beat Toronto FC 3-1 in the inaugural Campeones Cup last year.

Martinez was stymied by goalkeeper Oscar Jiménez on a penalty late in the first half, keeping the score tied 1-1 at the break. America went ahead for the first time on Roger Martinez’s goal off a corner in the 56th, but United tied the game just three minutes later on Jeff Larenowitz’s laser strike from about 30 yards out that appeared to deflect off an América defender in front of the net, leaving a flat-footed Jiménez with no chance.