The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
ATLANTA UNITED PLAYOFF-BOUND
Withou injure Almiron Atlant United clinches on of si postseason spots.
Atlant United is headed to th ML playoffs.
Despit ielding starting lineup without the injured Miguel Almiron, the irst-yea team pulled apar Philadelphi 3behind goals from Julian Gressel, Jose Martine and Jacob Peterson on Wednesda night at Mer-
cedes-Benz Stadium. The victory clinche one of th si play spots in th Eastern Conference. Seattle wa the last expansion team in 2009 to reac the post season.
The victor also elpedlp Atlant United (15-8-7 keep pace with NYCF in theracefo secondplace in the East The to tw teams receive by in the rst roun of the playo s. NYCF wa playing at Montreal on Wednesday.
The win also cemented successfu six-game stan at Atlant
United’s new home. The team won 16 of a possible 18 points and posted five shutouts to increase its season total to 10. Atlanta United was tied for sixth place in the Eastern Conference when it started the stretch against Dallas on Sept. 10. The Five Stripes have steadily moved up the table since, and are at least in third heading into Saturday night’s game at New England.
Atlanta United took a 1-0 lead on a goal by Gressel in the 28th minute. Gressel took a pass from Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, shook off a tackle from Warren Creavalle, and toe-poked a right-footed shot across the goal and into the lower right corner. It was Gressel’s fourth goal.
Martinez made it 2-0 in the 33rd minute. Gressel split Philadelphia’s lines with a diagonal pass that Kevin Kratz smartly let go by him and straight to Martinez. He took a touch and hit a left-footed shot back across the goal. It was his 18th goal.
Martinez celebrated by running from the penalty box to the Atlanta United bench and putting an Almiron jersey over his face. Almiron suffered a hamstring injury in the first half of Sunday’s 2-0 win over Montreal and is expected to miss at least three weeks. With the assist, Gressel moved into second in MLS history for assists by a rookie (nine). Atlanta’s Clint Mathis leads with 10.
The starting lineup featured a few changes, highlighted by the absence of Almiron. Gressel, a candidate for MLS rookie of the year, started in place of Almiron. Additionally, captain Michael Parkhurst was given his first league game off this season. Jeff Larentowicz slid back from holding midfielder to play centerback in place of Parkhurst. Kevin Kratz moved in to the holding midfielder role.