VAR Plays Big Part In A Tie Between Sounders And United

Atlanta, Ga– The Atlanta United (12-4-5 [41 pts]) was affected again by the VAR system which led to the Seattle Sounders FC (4-5-9 [17 pts]) lone goal, which the game ended in a 1-1 tie.

A questionable call surfaced in the 44th-minute after after an initial block by Franco Escobar in the 18-yard box, the VAR system was in play and the call was reversed to a hand ball.

Seattle took advantage of the call with a goal by Nicolas Lodeiro off of United’s goal keeper Brad Guzan left stretched-out hand that bounced in the corner of the net.

In the 27-minute, a deflected ball ended up in front of Seattle’s goal keeper Stefan Frei. Josef Martinez, trying to get to the ball incidentally bumped defenseman Kim Kee-hee. Seattle’s defenseman Chad Marshall shoved Martinez which became a shoving match between the two teams.

Although the Sounders FC aren’t efficient in scoring, their counter attack style against Atlanta was quite aggressive in the first half.

Will Bruin of the Sounders FC had an opportunity after an erran pass by United bounced to him in United’s territory in the 35-minute. Guzan angled himself to where Bruin had no clearway of the net and shot a dart that ricocheted off of a Guzan’s hand.

To open up the second halftime, Atlanta was deep in their territory and Julian Gressel lobbed a pass directly to Martinez who was able to leap in the air for a header in the left corner of the net to tie the score in the 48th-minute.

United had ample chances including a corner kick that was hit into the goal post and bounced out in stoppage time. Atlanta couldn’t take advantage and had to settle for the tie.

MATCH RESOURCES

• Post-match video with Martino, Larentowicz, McCann
• Full Box Score
• Quote sheet 
• Match photos 

 

LINE SCORE

Atlanta United 1, Seattle Sounders 1

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Atlanta, Georgia

 

STATS

Shots: 19-8 Atlanta

Shots on Target: 6-3 Atlanta

Corner kicks: 15-3 Atlanta

Fouls committed: 13-12 Seattle

Saves: 6-2 Seattle

Clearances: 32-15 Seattle

Offside: 4-1 Seattle

Possession: 69-31 Atlanta

Passing Accuracy: 88-68 Atlanta

 

SCORING SUMMARY

SEA – Nicolas Lodeiro (penalty) 45’ [HIGHLIGHT]

ATL – Josef Martinez (Julian Gressel) 48’ [HIGHLIGHT]

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY

ATL – Leandro Gonzalez Pirez (yellow) 15’

SEA – Jordan McCrary (yellow) 26’

ATL – Franco Escobar (yellow) 44’

ATL – Michael Parkhurst (yellow) 56’

SEA – Jordan McCrary (second yellow) 63’

SEA – Nicolas Lodeiro (yellow) 90+4’

 

ATLANTA UNITED STARTING LINEUP

Brad Guzan; Chris McCann, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, Michael Parkhurst ©, Franco Escobar (Romario Williams – 80’); Jeff Larentowicz, Julian Gressel; Ezequiel Barco, Miguel Almirón, Tito Villalba; Josef Martinez.

 

Substitutes not used: Alec Kann, Sal Zizzo, Mikey Ambrose, Kevin Kratz, Andrew Carleton, Brandon Vazquez.

 

SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC STARTING LINEUP

Stefan Frei; Nouhou Tolo, Chad Marshall (Gustav Svensson – 73’), Kim Kee-Hee, Jordan McCrary; Jordy Delem, Cristian Roldan; Victor Rodriguez (Osvaldo Alonso – 88’); Nicolas Lodeiro ©, Harrison Shipp (Kelvin Leerdam – 65’); Will Bruin.

 

Substitutes not used: Bryan Meredith, Alex Roldan, Raul Ruidiaz, Lamar Neagle.

 

ATTENDANCE

72,243

 

OFFICIALS

Baldomero Toledo (referee), Corey Parker (assistant), Nick Uranga (assistant), Kevin Broadley (fourth), Alex Chilowicz (VAR).

 

TEAM NOTES

• Atlanta has now scored in 11 consecutive league games, extending its franchise-record long streak.
• Josef Martinez scored the 38th goal of his MLS career, and it was his seventh header. Since the start of last season, he is tied with Bradley Wright-Phillips for the most headed goals of any player
• 26 of Josef Martínez’ 38 career MLS goals have come at home. Only five other MLS players have scored more than 25 goals total in league play since the start of last season.

• Jeff Larentowicz appeared in his 378th career game, tying Steve Ralston for fourth all-time in MLS history by a field player.
• Larentowicz also started his 359th career MLS game. He’s in fifth place in MLS history by a field player.
• The club trailed for the just for the fourth time this year at halftime. It is now 1-1-2 in those matches.
• Atlanta owns the top five attendances in league history. Full list below:

1. Atlanta United vs. Seattle Sounders, July 15, 2018 – 72,243
2. Atlanta United vs. D.C. United, March 11, 2018 – 72,035
3. Atlanta United vs. Orlando City SC, June 30, 2018 – 71,932
4. Atlanta United vs. Toronto FC, October 22, 2017 – 71,874
5. Atlanta United vs. Orlando City SC, September 16, 2017 – 70,425