Josef Martinez was instrumental as Atlanta United secured the MLS Cup in just its second season on Saturday, defeating the Portland Timbers 2-0.
The 2018 MLS MVP became the third player in MLS Cup history to score a goal and record an assist in the season finale.
The 25-year-old opened the scoring for the hosts six minutes before halftime, rounding Timbers keeper Jeff Attinella to score into an empty net after Atlanta defender Michael Parkhurst pressured Jeremy Ebobisse into a mistake in his own defensive third.
United’s second arrived in the 54th minute, with right-back Franco Escobar turning in a Martinez flick-on from Miguel Almiron’s delightfully placed free kick.
The MLS East champions lifted the trophy in front of 73,019 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium — the largest crowd in MLS Cup history.
More to come…