Atlanta (AFP) – The expansion Atlanta United recorded their first home win in franchise history on Saturday with a convincing 4-0 win over the Chicago Fire at the Georgia Tech University stadium.
Forward Josef Martinez, the reigning Major League Soccer player of the week, scored twice for the United.
The United took a 1-0 lead four minutes into the contest by taking advantage of an own goal.
Midfielder Julian Gressel made a run deep into the right side of the box and fired a cross that deflected off of Chicago defender Brandon Vincent into the net.
The Fire had just 10 men on the field for most of the contest, after defender Johan Kappelhof was given a red card for taking down Martinez in front of the box at the 11-minute mark.
That allowed Atlanta to take advantage of the man-advantage as they maintained possession for over 80 percent of the match as they won their second straight game.
The Fire managed to keep the deficit within a goal into the second half, before Martinez added the insurance goal off an assist by midfielder Miguel Almiron in the 60th minute.
Martinez, who has five goals in his last two matches, added his second of the game off an assist from teammate Yamil Asad in the 82nd minute.
Hector Villalba scored an unassisted goal to give United a commanding 3-0 lead at the 67th minute. United goalkeeper Alec Kann had three saves.
Atlanta takes their show on the road, starting with a trip to Seattle on Friday. The United also play at Toronto, at Montreal and at Real Salt Lake before returning home.
The Fire return home to host the Montreal Impact next.
