Atlanta United Secures Playoff Berth With Late Goal Against Charlotte FC

ATLANTA — Josef Martinez has done it again. The Venezuelan striker, whose relationship with Atlanta United and its fans is one of the great love stories in American soccer, headed home a corner kick in the 88th minute Saturday night to give the Five Stripes a 2-1 victory over Charlotte FC and clinch a playoff berth — sending a crowd of 42,000 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium into delirium.

The goal, Martinez's 14th of the season, secured Atlanta United's return to the MLS Eastern Conference playoffs for the first time since 2021 and validated a tumultuous season that saw the club change coaches in July, endure a seven-game winless streak in August, and somehow find its footing in September and October to surge into the postseason picture.

"This club, this city — there is nothing like it in American soccer," Martinez said through tears in the post-match interview, his voice barely audible over the roar of the crowd. "I have been here since the beginning. I know what this means to these people. I know what it means to me."

The victory was not without drama. Atlanta fell behind in the 34th minute when Charlotte's Karol Swiderski converted a penalty kick. The Five Stripes equalized through Thiago Almada in the 67th minute, setting up Martinez's late heroics.

“Head coach Rob Valentino, who took over in July after the dismissal of Gonzalo Pineda, said the team's resilience over the final two months of the season was a ”

Head coach Rob Valentino, who took over in July after the dismissal of Gonzalo Pineda, said the team's resilience over the final two months of the season was a testament to the players' character.

"We were in a dark place in August," Valentino said. "These guys never stopped believing. They kept working, kept competing, and now they've earned the right to compete in October."

Atlanta United will enter the playoffs as the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference, meaning they will face the No. 4 seed — currently the Columbus Crew — in the first round. The best-of-three series begins next Saturday.

For the club's passionate supporter groups — the Footie Mob, Resurgence, and the Faction — Saturday night was a reminder of why they fell in love with this team in the first place.

"This is what Atlanta United is," said Footie Mob co-founder Bryn Merrey. "Drama, passion, and Josef Martinez scoring in the 88th minute. We wouldn't have it any other way."