Frank de Boer celebrated his first competitive victory as Atlanta United boss after the MLS holders overturned a first-leg deficit to advance to the CONCACAF Champions League quarter-finals.
Atlanta cruised to a 4-0 rout of Herediano – inspired by Josef Martinez’s brace at home to the Costa Rican visitors on Thursday – and 5-3 aggregate triumph.
De Boer’s competitive bow had ended in a 3-1 loss away to Herediano last week but the former Crystal Palace and Inter boss – a replacement for championship winner Gerardo Martino – earned his maiden victory in charge.
Martinez, who was the leading goalscorer in MLS last season, broke the deadlock after just 47 seconds from the edge of the six-yard box.
Highlights: Watch the best moments of @atlutd 4-0 victory over @csherediano1921 #SCCL2019 #ATLvCSH pic.twitter.com/DLeQTudGY2
— Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League (@TheChampions) March 1, 2019
Atlanta drew level on aggregate but moved ahead on away goals when Julian Gressel found the back of the net in the ninth minute.
GRESSELMANIA
Tidy touches. Tidy finish.
( @TheChampions)— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) March 1, 2019
Venezuelan star Martinez netted his second with a 63rd-minute tap-in before Leandro Gonzalez Pirez sealed the triumph with seven minutes remaining.
Atlanta will face Mexican side Monterrey for a spot in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Meanwhile, Sporting Kansas City defeated 10-man Toluca 2-0 for a 5-0 aggregate win and a quarter-final showdown against Independiente.
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