Martínez Returns to the XI and Delivers

Starting Lineup

Atlanta United returned to Bobby Dodd Stadium on Saturday night with Josef Martínez back in the starting lineup for the first time in three months and a chance to extend its home winning streak.

The match came in the middle of a busy stretch for Atlanta. Tata Martino rotated at right back, brought Carlos Carmona back into midfield after his midweek suspension, and gave Anton Walkes his first league start for the club.

Colorado arrived with Tim Howard in goal and Pablo Mastroeni on the sideline. The Rapids defended deep for long stretches, Howard kept the match close, and Atlanta needed a second-half goal from Martínez and a late save from Alec Kann to win 1-0 in front of 44,938 fans.

1st Half

Atlanta spent the first half with the ball, but Colorado made possession feel crowded. Atlanta passed through midfield and kept looking for space between the Rapids’ lines, while Colorado dropped numbers behind the ball and protected the area in front of Tim Howard.

The game had an edge without giving Atlanta many clean looks. Colorado stayed tight around the box, challenged through midfield, and forced Atlanta to keep resetting attacks instead of playing through the last line. Atlanta had more than 75 percent possession, but most of that control came outside the most dangerous spaces.

Tito Villalba came closest for Atlanta when he struck a dipping volley over the bar. It was the clearest moment Atlanta found in a half spent poking at Colorado’s back line without breaking through.

Colorado’s best first-half moments came when Atlanta lost the ball and the Rapids could run the other direction. Kann was called on for one important save, keeping the match scoreless while Atlanta continued to search for a way through.

Dennis Castillo went into the book in the 34th minute. Atlanta kept most of the ball after that, but Colorado held its shape and took the match to halftime at 0-0.

Martínez said Martino’s halftime message was clear.

Parkhurst said Atlanta also needed patience, better tempo, and enough shape behind the attack.

2nd Half

Martínez put Howard to work as soon as the second half started. He tested him in the 46th, 51st and 58th minutes, then nearly beat him with a bicycle kick after the hour mark. Howard stopped each chance and kept Colorado level.

Martínez gave Howard credit after the match.

Colorado made the first second-half change in the 62nd minute, bringing on Marlon Hairston for Joshua Gatt. Atlanta answered one minute later with Brandon Vázquez for Villalba, and the match changed shortly after.

Vázquez got on the end of Larentowicz’s ball down the right side in the 66th minute, reached the byline, and cut back inside. He played the ball back into the box for Martínez, who took two touches near the penalty spot, beat his defender, and slotted the finish past Howard for a 1-0 lead.

Vázquez described the goal as a play that started with Larentowicz finding him down the line.

Vázquez said he looked at goal first, then chose the pass.

Colorado brought on Alan Gordon after the goal, giving the Rapids another outlet as they chased the match. Atlanta kept the pressure higher up the field and still had chances to put the game out of reach.

Martínez’s night ended in the 80th minute with Atlanta still holding the lead. His first league start back finished with the only goal, seven shots and four on target, but Atlanta still had to close out a one-goal game.

Colorado sent players into the box for a late corner in stoppage time. Atlanta won the first header but could not fully clear the second ball, and the Rapids sent the next cross back into traffic. Kann got behind the header and covered the rebound to preserve the result.

Kann said he expected the box to be crowded and focused on getting his body behind the ball.

Parkhurst said the final sequence came after Atlanta failed to deal with the second ball.

Closing Thoughts

Atlanta finished with 16 shots, nine on target, 11 corners and 570 passes. Colorado finished with 10 shots, two on target, four corners and 203 passes. Atlanta spent most of the night around Colorado’s box, while the Rapids defended in numbers and tried to turn loose balls into counters.

Howard was Colorado’s best player. He made seven saves, including the stop on Martínez’s bicycle kick, and gave the Rapids a chance to take something from a match Atlanta largely controlled. Mastroeni credited him for organizing the back line, managing the game and coming up with key saves, while Mike da Fonte and Eric Miller helped hold the line in front of him.

Post game, Mastroeni pointed to clear first-half chances that went unfinished, and Colorado ended the night with only two shots on target. The Rapids made Atlanta work for the goal, but they did not do enough with the moments they had going the other way.

Martínez looked dangerous again as a starter, Vázquez gave Atlanta real production from the bench, and the back line closed out a 1-0 game with a clean sheet.

Martínez finished with one goal, seven shots and four on target in his first league start since returning from injury. Howard saved almost everything Atlanta put on frame, but Martínez kept finding chances.

Vázquez’s assist was his first in MLS and another sign that Atlanta could ask more from him in wide attacking minutes. Martino connected his development with Walkes’ start when discussing the younger players after the match.

Walkes handled 90 minutes at right back in his first league start for Atlanta. He completed 42 of 54 passes, put one shot on target, made five defensive clearances, and gave Atlanta a stable option in a rotated back line.

Parkhurst praised Walkes for handling Gatt’s speed and the demands of an unfamiliar role.

Atlanta left Bobby Dodd with its fourth straight home win, a clean sheet, and another sold-out crowd behind it. Colorado made the game tight through Howard and its defensive work, but Atlanta got the goal from Martínez, the setup from Vázquez, the 90 minutes from Walkes, and the final save from Kann.