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Atlanta United downs Club America to win 2019 Campeones Cup

The second edition of the Campeones Cup went in favor of the defending MLS Cup Champs.

Atlanta United used a pair of second-half goals in an eight minute span to overturn a deficit and beat Liga MX giants Club America 3-2 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Jeff Larentowicz’s deflected attempt paired with Josef Martinez’s penalty kick handed Frank de Boer his first trophy as Five Stripes boss.

The match started quickly as Emerson Hyndman slotted in his second goal for the club in the sixth minute. A low drive into the bottom-right corner put the hosts in front, but not for long.

Renato Ibarra’s finish in the 12th minute leveled the score between the two high-flying attacks.

Josef Martinez had a chance to spring Atlanta in front before halftime from the penalty spot after Pity Martinez was hacked down. However, his shot was saved by Oscar Jimenez keeping it 1-1 heading into halftime.

Roger Martinez’s confident finish put America ahead in the 57th minute, but Atlanta would not give in. Larentowicz’s long-range effort deflected into the top-left corner leaving Jimenez speechless and putting de Boer’s men back into the match.

Florentin Pogba was tackled inside of the box, allowing the defending MLS Golden Boot winner to make up for his earlier miss. America defender Bruno Valdez was sent off not long after for a last man foul on Martinez as the Venezuelan tried to spring himself on a breakaway.

The Five Stripes would hang on to become the first MLS club to win the Campeones Cup. Alec Kann made four saves in the win for the Five Stripes, who now return to league action this weekend against the Portland Timbers on Sunday.

 

Comments

  1. Thing about trolls, they just disappear. Like those guys that said MLS wouldn’t make it 3 more years about 10 years ago…….
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    America probably wins that game at home, but Atlanta deserved to win that game and could have blown them out with a few missed chances ( that stupid PK shot Martinez wont give up on). Plus that really is where we have ALMOST been for a while now. MLS teams can beat top MX teams, but top MX teams are very good and it won’t be easy ever.
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    Great game and many more to come.

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  2. Great match!! Watched every minute with nervous excitement, because MLS does poorly against Liga MX. After Toronto’s turn, I thought Atl would be better comp against any Liga MX team. 5 stripes, didn’t let me down. They showed up & showed out!! There are A LOT of America supporters in GA, so the fans had to bring even MORE passion than normal! Big step 4 Atl against the best Club in North America!!

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  3. As a nonATL fan but MLS snob, good on them for coming back and taking the trophy. Sure it was at home, but winning anything against a Liga MX side is notable right now.

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  4. I thought Hyndman and Nagbe made cases to be included with NT. Nagbe would be a backup for Weston, I know my friend Bizzy will want him to replace Bradley but he is just not someone that is going to pass between lines. I understand some people don’t care about that but 3G does and he’s the one that counts. Hyndman could be a backup for Pulisic or challenge as a wing. I don’t think he’s played wing much lately but he certainly could challenge Arriola.

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    • I’m annoyed that I forgot about this game and missed it. Anyway, while I was one of the first to say Nagbe was overrated, I think many have gone too far the other way. He’s kind of one dimensional, but he is very good with that skill of dribbling out of tight spaces, something we need when playing a team like Mexico. I think he definitely needs another look for the national team. I haven’t seen Hyndman much lately, but I think he might be best in the middle. Again, another player worth inviting into a camp. I think both players have more to offer than some of the really young MLS guys Berhalter brought in before. While this wasn’t a real official competition like the CCL, it’s still nice to see an MLS team finally win something.

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      • Did you see FCD and Galaxy, not a very good night for the play the kids crowd. Efra, Pomykal, Servania, and Araujo all had poor nights. Cannon did well getting forward but Pavon made him look bad at times and of course drew the PK. Ferreira probably was the best of the youngsters and he wasn’t great. On another note from that game I don’t think playing as a dual 6 really helps Lletget’s national team chances.

      • Johnny, I didn’t see that game listed in the TV section of my sports page locally, but I’m thinking now I could have found it and damn, I missed another I wanted to see. Well, we had a guest over, so it would have been rude of me to watch, I guess. Be that as it may, in watching the Galaxy lately, I think Lletget has lost something or maybe hasn’t got back everything since his last injury. He just hasn’t looked as good, whatever the position. Perhaps Schelotto played him as a 6 because his mobility isn’t what it sued to be? Did Corona play? He didn’t play against DC United and I didn’t hear why so maybe he’s injured and that’s why Lletget played the 6, which is unusual for him. In the past the Galaxy played both Corona and Dos Santos in defensive mid positions, but lately have used Kitchen as a defensive mid with Dos Santos more forward. I don’t know if this is due to injuries or a coach’s tactical decision. I moved recently and haven’t resumed my LA Times subscription and now rely on my San Diego paper which has less info.

      • Nagbe straight up bossed the midfield. It was the most impressive performance I’ve ever seen from him.

        Also, as an Atl fan, I think this was our most impressive win to date.

      • When you say overrated, what exactly does that mean? People think of Nagbe as a #10 for some reason, but he’s not that at all, I think he could absolutely play in place of Bradley. Bradley doesn’t break lines perse, but rather plays a lot of balls over the top in dangerous positions. Nagbe is more adept at circulating the ball forward with speed and although he stays on the ball longer than he needs to I don’t see that as a bad thing. Last night he took over the game and if the USMNT can’t use that skill, then what are we doing lol?? I’d even argue he play ahead of McKennie because his passing still needs tightening up, but. Also of the mindset they could play together, along with Adams and Pulisic

      • Gary didn’t hear any reason but neither Kitchen or Corona played. FCD really was the better team for middle half of the match. Lletget and Dos Santos saved LAG a couple times with last ditch defending. The difference in the match was Barrios and Badji aren’t Ibrahimovic. FCD had more chances just couldn’t finish them. Pavon looks like he will be dangerous.

      • I have always loved Nagbe, but I think he was used out of position. Holding mid, much better for him. He just didn’t have the killer mentality when going for goal (but he did win MLS as a star attacking player)

    • Cases can be had for both, your right.
      I like Nagbe but I think what hurts his international case his that he is not efficent enough with the ball and slows up play. Great on the ball and creative which is surely welcomed but often needs to get the ball off his feet quicker. Gets away with it in MLS play. Watched a little last night and there was a play that was perfect example. He made a great dribble in the attacking half, but then literally did like a circle dribble to find a player.

      Agree about Hyndman. Def see him more as backup to McKennie who will come in handy as Weston seems to take his fair share of injuries.

      General question – is there reason why Atlanta was home? Curious.

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      • Oh and despite my preference for Hyndman as McKennie backup, i am with you, would love to see him try out the wing. Arriola, great work rate and speed but just not at the talent level we need to be in that starting 11

    • Johnnyrazor,
      “I know my friend Bizzy will want him to replace Bradley but he is just not someone that is going to pass between lines.”….haha???, appreciate it, hence I don’t have more to say.

      He BOSSED the midfield against a Liga MX team no less…composed on the ball, passing accurately, controlling the FAST TEMPO of the game. He is a better player and all round midfielder than Bradley and is one of the players responsible for ATL’s dynamic and possessive style of play (ask Tata Martino?). I really don’t care if GB fields Nagbe or not…because quite frankly I have already come to terms with it and know for a fact (and haven’t been proven wrong yet!!!!?) that the USMNT WILL CONTINUE TO SUCK with Bradley and Wil Trapp in the midfield. It’s not rocket science, a weak core compromises the structural integrity of the team.

      Hence WE ALL are going to enjoy much more games of misery….TOGETHER ???

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      • I could be wrong but I think we’ll start to see some new, and more younger faces now that the Gold Cup has past. If I’m correct GB wanted to keep the pool tighter in the lead up to the GC, with players who were comfortable playing against Concacaf opposition in a short period of time. He leaned heavily on more MLSers from January camp that picked up his scheme quickly and then added our younger horses in Pulisic, McKennie, Boyd(refreshing)and Holmes(also refreshing but injury prone)from Europe.

        Now is the time to get some fresher faces in, along with some other veterans we haven’t seen in a minute like the Nagbe’s, Lleget’s etc who have experience but still young enough for the next WC

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