Four Second-Half Goals Carry Atlanta To Fifth-Straight Home Win

ATLANTA (July 4, 2017) —Behind four second-half goals, Atlanta United came from behind to defeat San Jose Earthquakes 4-2 Tuesday night at Bobby Dodd Stadium in front of 44,974 fans. Trailing 1-0 after halftime, Atlanta roared back behind two goals from Josef Martinez, and one each from Carlos Carmona and Anton Walkes. Kyle Reynish made his club debut and made two saves.

“At halftime, we talked about being a little more patient. When we went up a man in the first half, we were too anxious to get forward right away,” captain Michael Parkhurst said. “We wanted to be a little more patient, get the ball wide, get some crosses in the box, put them under pressure and just dictate the game. We knew that we could wear them down and I think that’s what happened.”

San Jose scored the first goal of the match in the second minute. After turning Atlanta over in its own half, Tommy Thompson gave way to Chris Wondolowski, who then attempted to pass to Danny Hoesen, but it was deflected right to a wide-open Thompson. The 21-year-old Homegrown Player then blasted one into the back of the net from 12 yards out for his first career MLS goal.

The match changed in the 32nd minute when Kofi Sarkodie was sent off for collecting a second yellow card. In the 10th minute, he slid into Yamil Asad’s feet to receive his first card. He fouled Asad again for the second yellow, where he impeded the winger’s run through the midfield.

But Atlanta still trailed 1-0 at half time. The club equalized in the 55th minute from Carmona. Martinez’s headed attempt was saved by David Bingham, but Carmona was in alone to pick up a loose ball and fire it into the open net.

Atlanta kept the pressure up and took the lead 10 minutes later. Again down the left-hand side, Greg Garza’s cross was perfectly placed for Martinez, who this time made no mistake on his headed attempt, beating Bingham just below the cross-bar.

However, San Jose equalized immediately on the following re-start. Nick Lima’s cross from the left wing to the far post was perfect for Wondolowski. The veteran striker then smashed home a tight-angled volley into the upper right corner.

Atlanta re-took the lead in the 81st minute off of a short corner kick. Julian Gressel’s ball went to the far post where Walkes was able to head to it in. Then in the 89th minute, Martinez iced the game with his second goal of the night to put Atlanta up 4-2.

Atlanta United (9-7-3, 30 points) returns to MLS action on Friday, July 21 against Orlando City SC. Kickoff from Orlando City Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN.

 

LINE SCORE

Atlanta United 4, San Jose Earthquakes 2

Bobby Dodd Stadium

Atlanta, Georgia

 

STATS

Shots: 19-13 Atlanta

Shots on Target: 9-4 Atlanta

Corner kicks: 6-4 Atlanta

Fouls committed: 16-10 Atlanta

Saves: 5-2 San Jose

Clearances: 31-9 San Jose

Offside: 2-1 Atlanta

Possession: 67-33 Atlanta

Passing Accuracy: 85-69 Atlanta

 

MATCH RESOURCES

• Full Box Score
• Quote Sheet
• Post-match video
• Match photos

 

SCORING SUMMARY

SJ – Tommy Thompson 2’ [HIGHLIGHT]

ATL – Carlos Carmona 55’ [HIGHLIGHT]

ATL – Josef Martinez (Greg Garza) 65’ [HIGHLIGHT]

SJ – Chris Wondolowski (Nick Lima) 66’ [HIGHLIGHT]

ATL – Anton Walkes (Julian Gressel) 81’ [HIGHLIGHT]

ATL – Josef Martinez (Miguel Almiron) 89’ [HIGHLIGHT]

 

DISCLIPINARY SUMMARY

SJ – Kofi Sarkodie (yellow) 10’

ATL – Anton Walkes (yellow) 15’

SJ – David Bingham (yellow) 18’

SJ – Kofi Sarkodie (second yellow, red) 32’

ATL – Carlos Carmona (yellow) 42’

ATL – Leandro Gonzalez Pirez (yellow) 45’

ATL – Jeff Larentowicz (yellow) 74’

ATL – Josef Martinez (yellow) 90’

SJ – Victor Bernardez (red) 90+3’

 

ATLANTA UNITED STARTING LINEUP

Kyle Reynish; Greg Garza, Leandro Gonazlez Pirez, Michael Parkhurst ©, Anton Walkes; Jeff Larentowicz, Carlos Carmona (Kevin Kratz – 76’); Yamil Asad (Brandon Vazquez – 85’), Miguel Almiron, Tito Villalba (Julian Gressel – 74’); Josef Martinez.

 

Substitutes not used: Alex Tambakis, Mikey Ambrose, Tyrone Mears, Chris McCann.

 

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES STARTING LINEUP

David Bingham; Florian Jungwirth, Andres Imperiale, Victor Bernardez; Tommy Thompson, Nick Lima, Jahmir Hyka (Jackson Yueill – 55’), Shea Salinas (Cordell Cato – 38’), Kofi Sarkodie; Danny Hoesen (Simon Dawkins – 83’), Chris Wondolowski ©.

 

Substitutes not used: Andrew Tarbell, Kip Colvey, Lindo Mfeka.

 

ATTENDANCE

44,974

 

OFFICIALS

Jose Carlos Rivero (referee), Nick Uranga (assistant), Michael Kampeinart (assistant), Geoff Gamble (fourth).