Atlanta United Rolls Through the Snow for First MLS Victory

Starting Lineup

Atlanta United’s first MLS road victory arrived in conditions that looked more suited to winter than the opening weeks of a soccer season. Snow covered the field at TCF Bank Stadium and continued to fall throughout the afternoon, forcing the use of an orange match ball for visibility. The weather became the visual identity of the match, but it did little to slow Atlanta’s attack.

The expansion side scored six times in a 6-1 victory over Minnesota United, with Josef Martínez recording a hat trick and Miguel Almirón adding two goals of his own. Atlanta finished with six goals from ten shots and turned an early lead into a runaway result.

1st Half

Atlanta settled into the conditions immediately. Josef Martínez opened the scoring in the 2nd minute, giving the visitors an early advantage before Minnesota had established any rhythm.

Miguel Almirón doubled the lead at 12’, continuing a fast start that put Atlanta firmly in control. The visitors struck again at 26’ when Martínez scored his second goal of the afternoon, extending the advantage to 3-0.

Minnesota found a response three minutes later. Kevin Molino converted a penalty at 29’ to cut the deficit to 3-1 and briefly halt Atlanta’s momentum. A yellow card for Rasmus Schüller followed during a physical stretch of the half, while Leandro González Pírez was booked at 33’. No further goals arrived before halftime, leaving Atlanta ahead 3-1 at the break.

2nd Half

Atlanta resumed control soon after the restart. Héctor Villalba received a yellow card at 47’, but the visitors quickly restored their three-goal cushion when Almirón scored his second goal of the match at 51’.

Minnesota’s frustration became more evident as Molino entered the book at 56’. Atlanta continued to manage the match and eventually added a fifth goal when Martínez completed his hat trick at 74’.

The final stages featured a series of substitutions as Atlanta protected a comfortable lead. Chris McCann entered at 76’, Kenwyne Jones replaced Martínez at 81’, and Jacob Peterson came on at 83’. Peterson added the final goal of the afternoon at 90+3’, completing the 6-1 victory.

Closing Thoughts

Josef Martínez delivered the defining performance of the match. He scored three goals from three shots on target, turning Atlanta’s early control into the first league win in club history.

Miguel Almirón gave Atlanta the second major attacking pillar. His goals at 12’ and 51’ stretched the match across both halves, keeping Minnesota from turning Kevin Molino’s penalty into a real momentum shift.

Jacob Peterson’s goal at 90+3’ completed the scoring, but the broader point was Atlanta’s efficiency. Six goals from ten shots gave the result its shape and made the snow-covered afternoon feel less like a difficult road test than an early statement.

This was the first clear look at what Atlanta United’s attack could become. Martínez and Almirón accounted for five of the six goals, and Atlanta maintained its scoring threat from the opening minutes through stoppage time.