MLS Review: Martinez leads Atlanta to record-equaling win

Dejan Kalinic

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MLS Review: Martinez leads Atlanta to record-equaling win image

Josef Martinez helped Atlanta United equal an MLS record in a 7-0 thrashing of New England Revolution, while the Vancouver Whitecaps moved top.

Martinez scored a hat trick at Mercedes-Benz Stadium as Atlanta equaled the largest margin of victory in MLS history.

It took just 73 seconds for Martinez to open the scoring, the Venezuela international finishing powerfully from an angle.

New England was reduced to 10 men in the 16th minute as midfielder Xavier Kouassi was shown a straight red card.

The Revs' outing would get much worse, Martinez scoring two penalties – both times after handballs – and Antonio Delamea Mlinar seeing red for giving away the second spot kick.

It was 4-0 before halftime as Anton Walkes struck, and Atlanta would net three more in the final 20 minutes.

Kevin Kratz struck with a brilliant 25-yard free-kick, Yamil Asad also scored from outside the area and Hector Villalba sealed the big win.

The win lifted Atlanta into fifth in the Eastern Conference, while New England is eighth.

The Vancouver Whitecaps went top of the Western Conference thanks to a 3-0 win at home to Minnesota United.

Yordy Reyna and Erik Hurtado scored first-half goals and Brek Shea netted late on to lift Vancouver above the Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders.

Dejan Kalinic