Atlanta United has an attack built to punish even the most benign error. So when Union defender Mark McKenzie let the ball roll off his foot in his own half, Philadelphia were always going to need to be perfect to prevent a big chance from developing. Referee Sorin Stoica ruled that Union defender Auston Trusty was not perfect, awarding Atlanta a penalty after the Union defender and Josef Martinez came together in the box.
Haris Medunjanin and Captain Alejandro Bedoya were sent off in the chaos that followed the call.
Martinez the main man
Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez was already the leading scorer with New York Red Bulls' Bradley-Wright Phillips in MLS coming into Saturday night’s match, and he added three more against the Union.