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A22 SPORTS
Tuesday 3 March 2020

In this Oct. 24, 2019 file photo Atlanta United forward Josef Mar-
tinez (7) strikes a pose after scoring a goal in second half of an
MLS Eastern Conference Semifinal playoff soccer match against
the Philadelphia Union in Atlanta.
Associated Press

Atlanta star Josef

Seattle Sounders forward Jordan Morris, left, heads in the winning goal as Chicago Fire goal-
keeper Kenneth Kronholm, second from right, lunges for the ball during the second half of an MLS Martinez tears right
soccer match, Sunday, March 1, 2020, in Seattle. The Sounders won 2-1.
Associated Press ACL, set for surgery
Defending champion Sounders

beat Fire 2-1 in opener By PAUL NEWBERRY when he's in form, he's the
best in MLS. I work with him
AP Sports Writer
ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta everyday in training. I see
United star Josef Martinez his quality. It's going to be
SEATTLE (AP) — Jordan after Morris was ruled off- new roster competed solid- will undergo surgery after a big loss."
Morris scored two second- side. ly against one of MLS’ elite tearing the ACL in his right With his fearless play in
half goals, the second in Many of the 40,126 that teams. knee during the season- front of the net and ability
the third minute of stop- eventually filled Centu- Beckham, the former LA opening match at expan- to score with both feet and
page time, and the Seattle ryLink Field marched to the Galaxy star, wore an Inter sion Nashville, dealing a his head, the 26-year Ven-
Sounders opened their MLS stadium before the match Miami team blazer as he huge blow to one of Ma- ezuelan has tallied a stag-
Cup defense with a 2-1 vic- with the championship tro- watched the game from a jor League Soccer's top gering 77 goals in 84 MLS
tory over the Chicago Fire phy leading the way, and luxury box at Banc of Cali- teams. matches since entering the
on Sunday. reveled in the celebration fornia Stadium along with United announced the league for United's debut
Seattle started the day pa- and memories of the title wife Victoria and his own- diagnosis Sunday for the season in 2017. He had 27
rading the MLS champion- won 3 1/2 months earlier ership partners. league's 2018 MVP but did goals in 29 regular-season
ship trophy through the in the same stadium with a RED BULLS 3, FC CINCIN- not disclose if the ante- matches last season.
streets and unveiling its sec- victory over Toronto. NATI 2 rior cruciate ligament was Martinez quickly estab-
ond championship banner. LOS ANGELES FC 1, INTER HARRISON, N.J. (AP) — Kyle completely torn. lished himself as one of At-
But much of the opener MIAMI 0 Duncan and Kaku scored The seriousness of the injury lanta's biggest stars, on par
had been a frustrating mix LOS ANGELES (AP) — Car- early goals and New York will likely be known after with leading athletes on
of being outplayed for los Vela scored on a beau- beat FC Cincinnati. Martinez has surgery. It can more established teams.
stretches and missing sev- tiful chip shot shortly before Duncan scored in the 16th take anywhere from two to Recently, he was on hand
eral easy opportunities at halftime and Los Angeles minute, taking a soft pass six months to recover from to admire a new mural of
goal. FC beat Inter Miami in the from Florian Valot and a torn ACL, which means him that was painted on a
Morris was the difference inaugural game for owner punching it in as he ran the dynamic striker — one wall near Mercedes-Benz
after coming on as a substi- David Beckham’s MLS ex- down the left side of the of the most prolific scorers Stadium.
tute at halftime. His goal in pansion team. box. Nine minutes later, in MLS history — might be The injury also deals a se-
the 62nd minute off a cross Vela controlled the ball Valot found Kaku at the able to return before the vere blow to Atlanta's
from Cristian Roldan pulled with his chest and eluded center of the box and he end of the season. hopes of advancing in
Seattle even. The two con- four defenders before chip- tapped it in with his left It could be next season the CONCACAF Champi-
nected again in stoppage ping a perfect shot over Mi- foot. A minute into the sec- before Martinez fully re- ons League. United won
time. Off a corner kick ami goalkeeper Luis Robles ond half, Allan Cruz took a captures the form that car- its opening-round series
from João Paulo, Roldan from the edge of the box. centering pass from Bran- ried him to a then-record against Honduran club Mo-
whipped a header across The 44th-minute goal de- don Vasquez to get Cincin- 31 goals two seasons ago, tagua by a 4-1 aggregate,
the front of goal and Morris cided the season opener nati on the board. Daniel when he led Atlanta Unit- with Martinez scoring two
was standing at the back for both teams. Royer restored New York’s ed to the MLS Cup title. goals.
post to nod it home. Vela scored on his 31st two-goal advantage in the The mark was broken last Now, the team will have to
Robert Berić scored in the birthday and dampened 70th minute. season when Carlos Vela search for a replacement
46th minute for Chicago. a celebratory day for Inter Jurgen Locadia added a scored 34 goals for Los An- as it prepares for a two-
The Fire, in their first game Miami, which joined the goal for Cincinnati. geles FC. game quarterfinal series
under coach Raphael North American league MINNESOTA UNITED 3, TIM- ""Of course, you cannot against Mexican stalwart
Wicky, had two first-half along with Nashville SC this BERS 1 replace Josef," Atlanta América, which begins
goals waved off because season as its 25th and 26th PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — coach Frank de Boer said March 11 at Estadio Az-
of offside. Seattle also had teams. Miami wore white Kevin Molino scored two after Saturday night's 2-1 teca in Mexico City before
a goal in the 56th minute jerseys with pale pink shorts goals and Minnesota Unit- victory over Nashville. "Ev- the return leg March 18 in
overturned on video replay for its first game, and its ed beat Portland.q erybody knows that Josef, suburban Atlanta.q