Atlanta United played Seattle Sounders FC to a 1-1 draw Sunday at Lumen Field. Josef Martinez scored his second goal of the season, converting an 86th minute penalty kick, and Atlanta held Seattle to just two shots on target en route to extending its unbeaten streak to three consecutive matches.
Seattle opened the scoring in the sixth minute through Raul Ruidiaz. Joao Paulo delivered an out-swinging corner kick towards Ruidiaz at the edge of the six-yard box who was able to beat his mark and head the cross into the top-right corner of the net. But thanks to Atlanta’s stingy defense, it would be the last attempted shot on target by Seattle until second half stoppage time.
Atlanta controlled possession in the first half with 65 percent of the ball as it began its quest for an equalizer. It’s best two chances came late in the half as Martinez fired a long-range shot over the crossbar in the 37th minute and Miles Robinson headed a corner kick from Brooks Lennon into the arms of goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland just before halftime.
Jake Mulraney entered the match coming out of halftime, replacing Erik López, and had Atlanta’s first chance of the second half when he hit a low left-footed effort just past the far post.
Atlanta continued to control play throughout the entire second half and finally broke through from the penalty spot. Lennon forced the penalty by driving down the right flank and into the box where he was attempting to center a cross. However, he was brought down by Brad Smith and without hesitation, referee Kevin Stott pointed to the spot. Martinez stepped up and buried it into the top left corner for the equalizer.
Atlanta (2-1-3, 9 points) returns to action Saturday, May 29 against Nashville SC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (3:30 p.m. ET, Bally Sports Southeast, Sports Radio 92-9 The Game, La Mejor).
MATCH INFO
Atlanta United 1, Seattle Sounders FC 1
Lumen Field
Seattle, Washington
STATS
Shots: 10-7 Atlanta
Shots on Target: 2-2
Corner kicks: 4-3 Seattle
Fouls committed: 19-16 Seattle
Offside: 3-2 Atlanta
Possession: 63-37 Atlanta
Passing Accuracy: 83-75 Atlanta
SCORING SUMMARY
SEA – Raul Ruidiaz (Joao Paulo) 6’ [HIGHLIGHT]
ATL – Josef Martinez (penalty) 86’ [HIGHLIGHT]
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
ATL – Erik López (yellow) 2’
SEA – Nouhou (yellow) 31’
ATL – Emerson Hyndman (yellow) 32’
SEA –Xavier Arreaga (yellow) 68’
ATL – Matheus Rossetto (yellow) 90+1’
SEA – Alex Roldan (yellow) 90+2’
ATL – Franco Ibarra (yellow) 90+3’
ATLANTA UNITED STARTING LINEUP
Brad Guzan ©; Brooks Lennon, Anton Walkes, Miles Robinson, George Bello; Emerson Hyndman (Matheus Rossetto – 88’), Franco Ibarra, Santiago Sosa; Marcelino Moreno, Erik López (Jake Mulraney – 46’), Josef MartÃnez (Erick Torres – 88’)
Substitutes not used: Ben Lundgaard, George Campbell, Alex De John, Mikey Ambrose, Ronald Hernández, Jackson Conway
SEATTLE SOUNDERS STARTING LINEUP
Stefan Cleveland; Xavier Arreaga, Yeimar Gomez Andrade, Nouhou, Brad Smith; Cristian Roldan, Joao Paulo, Alex Roldan, Kelyn Rowe (Fredy Montero – 81’); Raul Ruidiaz, Will Bruin (Danny Leyva – 70’)
Substitutes not used: Spencer Richey, Reed Baker-Whiting, Shane O’Neil, Ethan Dobbelaere, Abdoulaye Cissoko, Jimmy Medranda
OFFICIALS
Kevin Stott (referee), Mike Rottersman (assistant), Chris Elliot (assistant), Ramy Touchan (fourth), Younes Marrakchi (VAR), Fabio Tovar (AVAR).
TEAM NOTES
- Atlanta moved into third place in the Eastern Conference, five points behind first-place New England but with a game in hand.
- Atlanta has lost just one game on the road all season in four matches (0-1-3)
- Josef Martinez scored his second goal of the season.
- Anton Walkes had a game-high 10 recoveries.
- Santiago Sosa had a game-high 88 touches.
- Franco Ibarra led the team in tackles (6), clearances (2) and interceptions (4).
