Minnesota United 1-6 Atlanta United

Minnesota United 1-6 Atlanta United

K. Molino (30 Pen) J. Martinez (3, 27, 75)

M. Almiron (13, 52)

J. Peterson (90+4)

Josef Martinez hit a hat trick as Atlanta United claimed their first ever win in Major League Soccer. It was a clash between two teams in their inaugural seasons in the MLS and Atlanta dispatched Minnesota in convincing fashion.

Despite the adverse weather conditions, Atlanta got off to an absolute flyer when Venezuela International Josef Martinez, latched on to a Miguel Almiron pass to fire past Minnesota keeper John Alvbage, after just three minutes.

Almiron then turned from provider to scorer to extend the lead after 13 minutes, when his left footed effort found the top corner.

Things went from bad to worse for Minnesota after 27 minutes, when Martinez notched his second of the game. Minnesota had a route back into the game on the half hour mark when Jeff Larentowicz brought Kevin Molino down in the penalty area. Molino picked himself up to convert the penalty past Alec Kann in the Atlanta goal.

Both sides traded chances in the closing minutes of the half, and there could have easily been more goals before the half time whistle.

Atlanta extended their lead back to three in the 52nd minute when the impressive Almiron hit a half volley into the top corner from the edge of the box.

Minnesota went in search of their second of the game, and saw a claim for a second penalty fall on deaf ears just after the hour mark.

Atlanta had the chance to put the contest beyond any reasonable doubt after 73 minutes, but Yamil Asad curled Almiron’s pass high and wide of the Minnesota goal.

They did get their fifth goal just two minutes later, when Hector Villalba slid the ball through to Martinez, who took the ball around the keeper and slotted home to seal his hat trick.

That goal made Minnesota the first MLS team to ever concede five goals in two consecutive matches. A feat they have managed in their first two MLS games.

The game ended in sober fashion, when Minnesota keeper Alvbage was stretchered from the field of play after a collision with his team mate.

The scoring wasn’t over, though, as Jacob Petersen nodded Atlanta’s sixth of the afternoon.