The only thing that may have been colder than the snow that fell on TCF Bank Stadium on Sunday was the ice in Atlanta United's veins.
A hat-trick from Josef Martinez and brace from Miguel Almiron propelled Atlanta United to their first win in MLS, as the Eastern Conference side mauled fellow expansion club Minnesota United, 6-1. The result came amid heavy snowfall in Minnesota's home opener.
Atlanta got things started early, with Martinez scoring his first of the day three minutes in. Minnesota fell behind 3-0 before they responded with a first-half penalty kick from Kevin Molino, but that was as close as the home side was able to make it against a dominant Atlanta United.
Goals
- 3' – ATL – Josef Martinez Watch
- 13' – ATL – Miguel Almiron Watch
- 27' – ATL – Josef Martinez Watch
- 39' – MIN – Kevin Molino Watch
- 52' – ATL – Miguel Almiron Watch
- 75' – ATL – Josef Martinez Watch
- 90+4' – ATL – Jacob Peterson Watch
Three Things
HEAVY HITTERS
: Atlanta United as a whole were aggressive and sharp from the opening whistle, but the two players that shone more so than the rest were Martinez and Almiron. It was not just their combined five goals that made them stand out, but also their combination play and confidence on the dribble. If the attacking duo can produce performances that are even a fraction of what they were on Sunday, defenses across the league will be in major trouble.
DISASTROUS START
: Not only did Minnesota United begin the game terribly by surrendering two goals inside of 13 minutes, but they also have now started the campaign in one of the worst ways possible. With Sunday's defeat, the club became the first in MLS to give up at least five goals in back-to-back games following Week 1's 5-1 blowout to the Portland Timbers.
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