Atlanta United Robbed of Goal and the Win Against New York Red Bulls
By Kit Anderson
Atlanta United lost yesterday’s match to the New York Red Bulls 3-1. It was a game that United should have won, one the officials robbed Atlanta of in a perfect example of horrible officiating.
Atlanta United started the game out hot. They were pressing New York and looked to have a great shot of winning the match. After scoring an early goal Atlanta was up 1-0 and again looked to press the New York defense.
What happened next was laughably biased for an officiating crew who made many questionable calls. Josef Martinez was passed the ball and only one player remained between him and the goalie.
Martinez faked right and went left while the defender attempted to tackle him. Martinez easily avoided him putting a nasty fake on the goalie and put United up 2-0 on New York.
The official signaled a review and quickly jogged over to the monitor. Within fifteen seconds he waved off the goal citing a push off that never happened. It was again 1-0 Atlanta and their momentum and advantage and been taken.
Three straight goals from New York followed the Bulls went on to win 3-1. Calling back the Martinez goal was a horrible call one that changed the match and likely the outcome.
A 2-0 United lead would have resulted in more defense being played and a more cautious approach. It would have been much harder for New York to score and the match would have likely fallen in Atlanta’s favor.
Martinez and his team were robbed by biased officiating. It was a clean play, one where Martinez was simply better than the rest of the field. If the officials choose to make the right call in this situation I am willing to bet this match ends very differently.
For Atlanta, the loss is only their third on the season as they shift their focus to the next match. A match lets hope the officials decide to let them play without determining the outcome of the match.