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.
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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
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) March 1, 2019
Tidy touches. Tidy finish.
( @TheChampions)
pic.twitter.com/Zy2bPUinL1
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.
