Atlanta United Shows Class in Preseason Victory in Nashville

Atlanta United Football Club defeated the upstart Nashville Soccer Club 3-1 in a deluge at First Tennessee Park in Nashville.

Atlanta opened the scoring in the 58th minute after an attempted back pass to Nashville goalkeeper C.J. Cochran stalled on the wet pitch. Martinez sprinted onto the ball and placed a right-footed shot past Cochran to give Atlanta a 1-0 lead.

Nashville leveled the match in the 64th minute when Alan Winn’s cross was calmly chipped over Atlanta goalkeeper Alec Kann by Ropapa Mensah.

In the 74th minute, new star Darlington Nagbe set up second-half substitute Brandon Vazquez in the box, who beat Cochran with a shot at the far post. Atlanta added a third goal in the 78th minute when substitute Romario Williams one-timed a deflected cross into the net to score in his debut match with Atlanta.

Atlanta played 22 players and 9,059 fans braved the elements to witness the match.

Atlanta United’s next preseason match is Feb. 17 against Columbus Crew SC, the first of three matches Atlanta will play in Charleston as part of the Carolina Challenge Cup.

Check out the photos below!