The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Stripes look for wins at home
MLS leaders host Portland on Sunday, Orlando on June 30.
With two important home games coming, Atlanta United manager Gerardo Martino didn’t seem too concerned Friday that the team has lost three of its past four games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The team is 5-2-1 in MLS competition in the $1.5 billion stadium, but was beaten by Chicago 1-0 on Wednesday in the U.S. Open Cup, lost to New York Red Bulls 3-1 on May 20 and to Sporting KC 2-0 on May 9. Its lone win was against Philadelphia, reduced to nine men in the first half, 3-1 on June 2.
The Five Stripes, which lead MLS with 33 points, will host Portland on Sunday and Orlando City on June 30.
“Those games were different,” Martino said. “But it is something we want to work on.”
The losses to Sporting KC and Red Bulls included a red card to an Atlanta United player in each game. Goalkeeper Brad Guzan was sent off in the first half against Sporting KC. Greg Garza was sent off in the second half against the Red Bulls. Josef Martinez also had goals overturned after recommendations from the Video Assistant Referee to the referee to check replays in both games. Atlanta United played well enough against Sporting KC that it still had chances to earn a draw.
“Team’s been doing well, focus on ourselves this game,” Darlington Nagbe said.
Atlanta United has a better record on the road this season (5-1-2) than it does at home, which is different than last season, when it was 11-3-3 at home and 4-6-7 on the road.The team has scored 22 goals this season while allowing 11 at home. It has scored 11 and
allowed 8 on the road this season.
The Timbers, as Martino noted, are playing well away from Providence Park this season, going 2-2-3 with 10 goals scored and 14 allowed. However, it was forced to play its first five games this season on the road, going 0-2-3. It has won its past two, 3-2 at Colorado on May 26 and 1-0 at San Jose on May 5.
Martinez masked: Atlanta United striker Josef Martinez is expected to wear a protective mask for the next six weeks, starting with Sunday’s game against Portland at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Martinez suffered a broken nose while scoring a goal last week at Columbus.
“When you score a goal, everything’s worth it,” he said.
The mask he wears during training is made of clear plastic. He said he is waiting on a different one that he wants to use in Sunday’s game.
“It may have been lost on delivery,” he said of the mask.
This is the first time that Martinez has had to wear a protective mask. He said he will no longer wear the protective wrap he was using on his left hand, which still hurts. That injury occurred during training.
Martinez said the mask sometimes covers his eyes, making it harder to see the ball.
“Hopefully, it doesn’t affect me too much,” he said.
Martinez leads MLS with 14 goals this season.
He is one of several Atlanta United players who rank among the leaders in votes received for this summer’s All-Star game against Juventus in Atlanta.
“My All-Star game is on Sunday,” he said. “I’m not concerned about the rest of it.”
In other injury news, Atlanta United manager Gerardo Martino said that defender Chris McCann hasn’t recovered enough from his hamstring strain to be considered for the 18 for Sunday’s game. He was subbed off at halftime of the 3-1 win against Philadelphia on June 2 and has missed the past two league games.