Starting the day as a topic of concern for Atlanta United and their fans, Pity Martinez was the talk of the town for all the right reasons by the end of Sunday's match vs. D.C. United.
Benched for the second straight game in the wake of his disagreement with head coach Frank de Boer, the out-of-form Argentine star came off the bench to head home the game-winning goal in the 89th minute, then set up Josef Martinez for an injury-time clincher to earn a 2-0 win for the Five Stripes at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
It was sweet relief not only for Pity, who has endured a topsy-turvy start to life in MLS, but Josef as well, with Atlanta's Venezuelan striker having missed the target on a second-half penalty kick he earned himself.
ATLUTD's delirium was D.C.'s devastation, as the Black-and-Red had worked mightily to defend and counter in the absence of Wayne Rooney, and were just minutes away from a worthy road point before Pity's heroics.
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Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: A few minutes of impactful play might not erase months of inconsistency, but Pity's vindication and relief was clear to see as he celebrated Sunday's breakthrough with his teammates. Now ATL will look to kick on towards brighter things, while their visitors will have to ponder just how much different (mostly more difficult) life was without Rooney, their do-everything talisman.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: You could argue that it was an easy point-blank finish for Pity, but it was exactly what his side needed, and not a moment too soon...
- MAN OF THE MATCH: For 88 minutes it looked like Bill Hamid had this award in his sights. Then Pity Martinez did his thing.
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