Atlanta beats Nashville behind Pity Martinez's stellar brace

Gonzalo "Pity" Martinez scored twice, in the final five minutes of each half, as host Atlanta United FC gave caretaker manager Stephen Glass a victory in his first match in charge, defeating Major League Soccer expansion side Nashville SC 2-0 Saturday night absent fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Goalkeeper Brad Guzan made five saves for the Five Stripes (3-3-0, nine points), who rebounded after failing to score a goal in three losses in the MLS is Back Tournament outside Orlando, Fla.

Manager Frank De Boer departed after the disappointing tournament result and Glass was promoted from Atlanta United 2 of the USL Championship.

Martinez's first goal, in the 40th minute, came after a long lead pass from Eric Remedi in his own half found Martinez streaking down the left wing. Martinez dribbled into the penalty area, weaved his way around a defender and toe-punched a shot from just outside the 6-yard box that made its way through Nashville goalkeeper Joe Willis' legs.

The second goal, in the 87th minute, came on a blistering left-footed shot from the top left of the 18-yard penalty area. The ball found the top left corner of the net, leaving a leaping Willis no chance. Mohammed Adams and Erick Torres were credited with assists.

Willis made two saves, as Nashville outshot the hosts 15-6.

Nashville (1-3-1, four points), which was forced to withdraw from the MLS tourney after multiple positive tests for COVID-19, was playing its third match in 11 days. Nashville and FC Dallas, which also had to pull out of the tournament, played twice in a five-day span in Dallas, with Nashville earning its first-ever victory and a draw.

Saturday was a rematch of the season opener in which Atlanta spoiled Nashville's debut with a 2-1 decision. But it was a costly victory for the Five Stripes, as forward Josef Martinez, a former league MVP and Golden Boot Award winner, suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament that necessitated season-ending surgery.