Josef Martinez's incredible form continued for Atlanta United, while New York Red Bulls are on track to reach the MLS play-offs.
Martinez scored for the 15th consecutive MLS game, netting a brace in Atlanta's 2-0 win away to FC Cincinnati on Wednesday.
Coming off back-to-back losses, reigning champions Atlanta needed until just before the hour-mark to open the scoring against their struggling hosts.
Josef Martinez led a lightning counter-attack, exchanging passes with Pity Martinez before finishing clinically in a one-on-one with Cincinnati goalkeeper Przemyslaw Tyton.
The beautiful game brought to you by #ATLUTD
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) September 19, 2019
consecutive @MLS matches with a goal for @JosefMartinez17 pic.twitter.com/kVl8gQJmaD
Atlanta's Josef Martinez struck again in the 65th minute to wrap up victory for Frank de Boer's men.
The Venezuela international controlled a pass from Julian Gressel with a brilliant flick before beating two defenders and finishing into the top corner.
World-class from @JosefMartinez17
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) September 19, 2019
The more you give a King, the more he wants pic.twitter.com/CLvhLeQ67G
Atlanta are third in the Eastern Conference, while Cincinnati are bottom after 22 losses in 31 league games this season.
The Red Bulls consolidated their play-off spot with a 2-0 victory over Portland Timbers at Providence Park.
After Kyle Duncan's powerful early strike, Daniel Royer scored a penalty in additional time.
The Red Bulls are sixth in the east, seven points clear of eighth-placed Montreal Impact with three regular-season games to play.
Dallas climbed above the Timbers and into seventh in the Western Conference after a 0-0 draw away to Seattle Sounders.