UNITED IN CONTROL

Almiron scores twice as Five Stripes shut out Orlando 4-0.

The largest soccer crowd in the world on Saturday saw Atlanta United dismantle Orlando City 4-0 at Mer

cedes-Benz Stadium.

The team announced 71,932 tickets sold and distributed, more than either of the two World Cup games on Saturday, and the second-largest announced attendance in MLS regular-season history. They saw two goals from Miguel Almiron, and goals from Josef Martinez and Ezequiel Barco increase Atlanta United’s league-leading points total to 37.

The victory improves Atlanta United to 3-0-2 against its reeling rivals, who have lost eight consecutive. Atlanta United is unbeaten in its past six games and improved to 6-2-2 at home.

For just the second time this season, manager Gerardo Martino started Martinez, Almiron, Hector Villalba

and Barco together. Their speed and technical ability, combined with Orlando’s tactical choice of sitting back and hoping to counter-attack, made for an exciting game.

Martinez, not wearing his protective mask, gave Atlanta United a 1-0 lead in the third minute on a tap-in off a curling cross from Julian Gressel. The cross split two Orlando City defenders and Martinez caught up to it just past a sliding Jonathan Spector at the back post. It was Martinez’s league-leading 15th goal and Gressel’s sixth assist.

The goal continued trends for both teams. Atlanta United had scored first in 14 of 18 league matches, going 9-1-3 in those games. Orlando City has surrendered the first goal in 15 out of 17 league matches.

Atlanta United increased its lead to 2-0 in the 55th minute on a lightning-fast counter-attack down the middle of the field that was finished by Almiron with an assist from Martinez. It was Almiron’s seventh goal this season and first since April 28.

Barco gave Atlanta United a 3-0 lead in the 57th minute with his fourth goal this season. The play started with a turnover created by Jeff Larentowicz in the final third.

Almiron scored his second of the game and Atlanta United’s fourth in the 78th minute.

CURTIS COMPTON PHOTOS / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM Josef Martinez reacts Saturday after scoring vs. Orlando City for a 1-0 Atlanta United lead in the first half. He also assisted on one of two goals by Miguel Almiron, and Ezequiel Barco added a goal for United.

Atlanta United at FC Dallas, 8 p.m., FSSO, 92.9 WEDNESDAY’S GAME