Atlanta United took a big step toward hosting MLS Cup, beating the New York Red Bulls 3-0 in the first leg of the Eastern Conference final on Sunday.
In front of more than 70,000 at Mercedes Benz Stadium, the hosts received goals from Josef Martinez (32nd minute), Franco Escobar (71st) and Tito Villalba (95th), while benefiting from a VAR decision in between the first two that wiped an apparent Red Bulls goal off the board to seize control of their series. It could've been even worse, with Villalba hitting the post as stoppage time hit, but as it stands, Atlanta takes its commanding three-goal edge into the away leg.