Photos: Atlanta United brings home the MLS Cup

Atlanta United

Photos: Atlanta United brings home the MLS Cup

Atlanta United beat Portland for the soccer championship on December 8, 2018.

Atlanta United's Josef Martinez leaps in the air and Miguel Almiron charges the field celebrating winning the MLS CUP 2-0 over the Portland Timbers on Saturday, Dec 8, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

December 8, 2018 Atlanta - Atlanta United owner Arthur Blank gets soaked with beers as players celebrate in their locker room after Atlanta United beat the Portland Timbers during the MLS championship on Saturday, December 8, 2018. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

December 8, 2018 Atlanta - Atlanta United owner Arthur Blank gets soaked with bears as players celebrate in their locker room after Atlanta United beat the Portland Timbers during the MLS championship on Saturday, December 8, 2018. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

12/8/18 - Atlanta - Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez (7) scores United's first goal, defended by Portland Timbers goalkeeper Jeff Attinella (1). The Atlanta United soccer team plays the Portland Timbers for the MLS Cup, the championship game of the Major League Soccer League at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

12/8/18 - Atlanta - Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez (7) scores United's first goal, defended by Portland Timbers goalkeeper Jeff Attinella (1). The Atlanta United soccer team plays the Portland Timbers for the MLS Cup, the championship game of the Major League Soccer League at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

12/8/18 - Atlanta - Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez (7) scores United's first goal, defended by Portland Timbers goalkeeper Jeff Attinella (1). The Atlanta United soccer team plays the Portland Timbers for the MLS Cup, the championship game of the Major League Soccer League at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

12/8/18 - Atlanta - Atlanta United midfielder Eric Remedi (11) and Portland Timbers midfielder Diego Chara (21) battle for the ball during the first half of play. The Atlanta United soccer team plays the Portland Timbers for the MLS Cup, the championship game of the Major League Soccer League at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

12/8/18 - Atlanta - Portland Timbers goalkeeper Jeff Attinella (1) saves a United shot as Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez (7) closes in. The Atlanta United soccer team plays the Portland Timbers for the MLS Cup, the championship game of the Major League Soccer League at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

12/8/18 - Atlanta - Atlanta United defender Franco Escobar (2) congratulates Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez (7) after he scored a goal in the first half. The Atlanta United soccer team plays the Portland Timbers for the MLS Cup, the championship game of the Major League Soccer League at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

12/8/18 - Atlanta - Atlanta United team mates congratulate Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez (7) after he scored a goal in the first half. The Atlanta United soccer team plays the Portland Timbers for the MLS Cup, the championship game of the Major League Soccer League at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

12/8/18 - Atlanta - Atlanta United midfielder Miguel Almiron (10) congratulates Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez (7) after he scored a goal in the first half. The Atlanta United soccer team plays the Portland Timbers for the MLS Cup, the championship game of the Major League Soccer League at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

12/8/18 - Atlanta - Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez (7) "smoked the goalie" after he scored a goal in the first half. The Atlanta United soccer team plays the Portland Timbers for the MLS Cup, the championship game of the Major League Soccer League at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

12/8/18 - Atlanta - Atlanta United midfielder Miguel Almiron (10) battles Portland Timbers defender Jorge Villafana (4) in first half action. The Atlanta United soccer team plays the Portland Timbers for the MLS Cup, the championship game of the Major League Soccer League at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

12/8/18 - Atlanta - Atlanta United midfielder Miguel Almiron (10) battles through Portland defenders in the first half. The Atlanta United soccer team plays the Portland Timbers for the MLS Cup, the championship game of the Major League Soccer League at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Atlanta United defender Franco Escobar (2) and Atlanta United defender Jeff Larentowicz (18) celebrate the team's second goal, scored in the second half. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

12/8/18 - Atlanta - Atlanta United team members celebrate the team's second goal, scored in the second half. The Atlanta United soccer team plays the Portland Timbers for the MLS Cup, the championship game of the Major League Soccer League at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

12/8/18 - Atlanta - Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez (7) goes high in scoring the teams second goal in the second half. The Atlanta United soccer team plays the Portland Timbers for the MLS Cup, the championship game of the Major League Soccer League at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

12/8/18 - Atlanta - Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez (7) goes high in scoring the teams second goal in the second half. The Atlanta United soccer team plays the Portland Timbers for the MLS Cup, the championship game of the Major League Soccer League at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Atlanta coach Gerardo Martino on the sidelines. The Atlanta United soccer team plays the Portland Timbers for the MLS Cup, the championship game of the Major League Soccer League at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

12/8/18 - Atlanta - The Atlanta United soccer team plays the Portland Timbers for the MLS Cup, the championship game of the Major League Soccer League at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Arthur Blank raises the MLS Cup with Atlanta United defender Michael Parkhurst (3) after the victory. The Atlanta United soccer team defeated the Portland Timbers for the MLS Cup, the championship game of the Major League Soccer League at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Atlanta United celebrates winning the MLS Cup 2-0 over the Portland Timbers on Saturday, Dec 8, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Atlanta United Miguel Almiron kisses the MLS CUP after a 2-0 victory over the Portland Timbers on Saturday, Dec 8, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Confetti fills the air as Atlanta United team owner Arthur Blank hoists the MLS CUP after a 2-0 victory over the Portland Timbers on Saturday, Dec 8, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Confetti flys as Atlanta United celebrates winning the MLS CUP 2-0 over the Portland Timbers on Saturday, Dec 8, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Atlanta United midfielder Miguel Almiron (10) kisses the MLS cup after United's victory. The Atlanta United soccer team defeated the Portland Timbers for the MLS Cup, the championship game of the Major League Soccer League at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

12/8/18 - Atlanta - Team owner Arthur Blank (right) leads the cheering as the Atlanta United celebrate winning the MLS Cup. The Atlanta United soccer team defeated the Portland Timbers for the MLS Cup, the championship game of the Major League Soccer League at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. BOB ANDRES / BANDRES@AJC.COM

Dec 8, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta United team captain Michael Parkhurst presents owner Arthur Blank the MLS CUP after a 2-0 victory over the Portland Timbers on Saturday, Dec 8, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Dec 8, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez celebrates with the MLS CUP after a 2-0 victory over the Portland Timbers on Saturday, Dec 8, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Dec 8, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta United celebrates winning the MLS CUP 2-0 over the Portland Timbers on Saturday, Dec 8, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Dec 8, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta United Miguel Almiron celebrates with the MLS CUP after a 2-0 victory over the Portland Timbers on Saturday, Dec 8, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

12/8/18 - Atlanta - Atlanta United Coach Gerardo Martino celebrates on the field after the victory. The Atlanta United soccer team defeated the Portland Timbers for the MLS Cup, the championship game of the Major League Soccer League at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

December 8, 2018 Atlanta - Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez celebrates with his family after the team won MLS championship over the Portland Timbers on Saturday, December 8, 2018. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

December 8, 2018 Atlanta - Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez celebrates with his family after the team won MLS championship over the Portland Timbers on Saturday, December 8, 2018. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

December 8, 2018 Atlanta - Atlanta United midfielder Miguel Almiron (10) signs autographs as fans hold Atlanta Journal-Constitution stadium edition after Atlanta United beat the Portland Timbers during MLS championship on Saturday, December 8, 2018. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Atlanta United's Josef Martinez leaps in the air and Miguel Almiron charges the field celebrating winning the MLS CUP 2-0 over the Portland Timbers on Saturday, Dec 8, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

December 8, 2018 Atlanta - Atlanta United players celebrate in their locker room after Atlanta United beat the Portland Timbers during the MLS championship on Saturday, December 8, 2018. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

December 8, 2018 Atlanta - Atlanta United head coach Gerardo Martino gets soaked with bears as players celebrate in their locker room after Atlanta United beat the Portland Timbers during the MLS championship on Saturday, December 8, 2018. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

December 8, 2018 Atlanta - Atlanta United head coach Gerardo Martino gets soaked with beers as players celebrate in their locker room after Atlanta United beat the Portland Timbers during the MLS championship on Saturday, December 8, 2018. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

December 8, 2018 Atlanta - Atlanta United players celebrate in their locker room after Atlanta United beat the Portland Timbers during the MLS championship on Saturday, December 8, 2018. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Dec 8, 2018 Atlanta: Portland Timbers defender Larrys Mabiala bends over in dejection as Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez (left) and midfielder Miguel Almiron charge the field to celebrate winning the MLS CUP 2-0 on Saturday, Dec 8, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

12/8/18 - Atlanta - Portland Timbers midfielder Diego Chara (21) received a yellow card warning for this collision with Atlanta United midfielder Miguel Almiron (10) which brought Almiron to the ground. The Atlanta United soccer team defeated the Portland Timbers for the MLS Cup, the championship game of the Major League Soccer League at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

12/8/18 - Atlanta - Portland Timbers midfielder Diego Chara (21) received a yellow card warning for this collision with Atlanta United midfielder Miguel Almiron (10). The Atlanta United soccer team defeated the Portland Timbers for the MLS Cup, the championship game of the Major League Soccer League at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

December 8, 2018 Atlanta - Portland Timbers goalkeeper Jeff Attinella (1) punches the ball off during in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday, December 8, 2018. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

12/8/18 - Atlanta - Portland Timbers forward Jeremy Ebobisse (17) and Atlanta United defender Leandro Gonzalez (5) go head to head during play. The Atlanta United soccer team defeated the Portland Timbers for the MLS Cup, the championship game of the Major League Soccer League at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM

Dec 8, 2018 Atlanta: Portland Timbers defender Larrys Mabiala (from left) bends over in dejection as Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez and midfielder Miguel Almiron charge the field to celebrate winning the MLS CUP 2-0 on Saturday, Dec 8, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

12/8/18 - Atlanta - Portland Timbers defender Jorge Villafana (4) and Atlanta United defender Franco Escobar (2) battle near the sidelines as Atlanta coach Gerardo Martino looks on. The Atlanta United soccer team plays the Portland Timbers for the MLS Cup, the championship game of the Major League Soccer League at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Dec 8, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez (left) and midfielder Miguel Almiron charge the field to celebrate winning the MLS CUP 2-0 on Saturday, Dec 8, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Dec 8, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta United forward Josef Martinez (left) and midfielder Miguel Almiron charge the field to celebrate winning the MLS CUP on Saturday, Dec 8, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Dec 8, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta United goalkeeper Brad Guzan blocks a shot on goal by the Portland Timbers on the way to winning the MLS CUP 2-0 on Saturday, Dec 8, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

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Atlanta United's Josef Martinez leaps in the air and Miguel Almiron charges the field celebrating winning the MLS CUP 2-0 over the Portland Timbers on Saturday, Dec 8, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

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