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Josef Martinez’s 35th goal is biggest of Atlanta United’s season

Atlanta leads MLS Cup 1-0.

MLS: MLS Cup-Portland Timbers vs Atlanta United FC Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

It took nearly 40 minutes, but Atlanta United finally opened the scoring. It was only fitting that it was Josef Martinez, capitalizing on a Portland Timbers mistake to give Atlanta United a 1-0 lead.

The sequence started with a pass out of the back from Zarek Valentin that Jeremy Ebobisse handled poorly. His first touch allowed Michael Parkhurst to make a strong tackle that sent the ball to Martinez, who took one touch to get around Jeff Attinella and then coolly slotted it into the net for his MLS record 35th goal of the season. It was also his fourth goal of the playoffs.