Crew edge Atlanta United to extend unbeaten streak
Field Level Media
25 Jul 2021, 08:05 GMT+10
Jonathan Mensah scored in the 65th minute and goalkeeper Eloy Room made five saves as the Columbus Crew extended their unbeaten streak to six games with a 1-0 victory over host Atlanta United on Saturday.
The Crew (6-3-6, 24 points) is 2-0-4 since a loss at Philadelphia on June 23, while Room has back-to-back shutouts to give him five for the season.
Atlanta (2-5-8, 14 points) is winless over its last 10 games (3-0-7) following a victory over CF Montreal on May 15.
Mensah scored his first goal of the season after the Crew took advantage of a corner kick by Lucas Zelarayan that was flicked at the left post by Marlon Hairston. Mensah was at the right post for the header.
The goal was the first for Mensah this campaign, his last goal coming in July 2018, when he scored in the 3-2 win against New York Red Bull, and Saturday s win enabled Columbus to extend their unbeaten run to six matches.
Coming back to Columbus with ALL THREE POINTS. pic.twitter.com/tcatHp3tiz The Crew (@ColumbusCrew) July 24, 2021
It was Atlanta who started the game on a high note as they created the first chance in the sixth minute when Josef Martinez had a good chance to shoot for goal, but he delayed with the ball, allowing Columbus defenders to close in and take the ball away.
Atlanta unsure of Josef Martinez s availability vs. Fire
Field Level Media
03 Jul 2021, 09:55 GMT+10
Atlanta United has been waiting on the return of star striker Josef Martinez, but it remains unclear if the 2018 MLS MVP will be on the field on Saturday night when the club visits the Chicago Fire.
Martinez, who has two goals in seven matches, has missed the past three games while away on international duty for the Venezuelan national team. On Friday, the Five Stripes listed him as questionable for Saturday s contest due to fitness.
Not having Martinez would be a blow for slumping Atlanta United (2-2-6, 12 points), who are 0-1-4 in five games since last winning on May 15. Atlanta played the visiting New York Red Bulls to a scoreless tie last Sunday.
Jose Martinez s return, width play key in defeating Nashville brotherlygame.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from brotherlygame.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Sounders vs. Atlanta United: Highlights, stats and quotes
Share this story
Despite allowing a late goal and dropping two points, the Seattle Sounders still managed to set a franchise record for best-ever start by claiming their 17th point of the season through seven games.
In many ways, though, this was their toughest. The Sounders lost the possession battle decisively and only managed seven shots. They did get Raúl Ruidíaz’s sixth goal of the season on João Paulo’s fourth assist, however, but allowed just their third goal on a Josef Martinez penalty. Notably, none of those goals have come from open play.