Atlanta United Loses 3-1 to Columbus Crew, Coach Ejected

Martino sent off after heated exchange with officials in second half

Apr. 5, 2026 at 2:11am

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Atlanta United suffered a 3-1 defeat against the Columbus Crew in their latest MLS matchup. The game took a dramatic turn in the second half when Atlanta United head coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino was ejected from the game following a heated exchange with the game officials.

Why it matters

This loss is a setback for Atlanta United, who were looking to bounce back after a disappointing start to the season. The ejection of their veteran head coach Martino is also a significant blow, as he is known for his passionate sideline presence and ability to rally the team.

The details

The Crew jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first half, with goals from forward Gyasi Zardes and midfielder Lucas Zelarayán. Atlanta United was able to pull one back in the second half through a goal from striker Josef Martínez, but the Crew sealed the victory with a late goal from midfielder Darlington Nagbe.

  • The game was played on April 5, 2026.
  • Martino was ejected in the second half of the match.

The players

Gerardo 'Tata' Martino

The head coach of Atlanta United, known for his passionate sideline presence and ability to motivate his team.

Gyasi Zardes

A forward for the Columbus Crew who scored the opening goal of the match.

Lucas Zelarayán

A midfielder for the Columbus Crew who scored the second goal of the match.

Josef Martínez

A striker for Atlanta United who scored their lone goal in the match.

Darlington Nagbe

A midfielder for the Columbus Crew who scored the final goal of the match to seal the victory.

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What they’re saying

“The officials made some questionable calls tonight that really hurt our momentum. We'll need to regroup and come back stronger in our next match.”

— Gerardo Martino, Head Coach, Atlanta United

What’s next

Atlanta United will look to bounce back in their next match against the New York Red Bulls on April 12, 2026.

The takeaway

This loss is a setback for Atlanta United, but they will need to put this game behind them and focus on their upcoming matches as they look to turn their season around. The ejection of their head coach Martino is a significant blow, and the team will need to rally together without his leadership on the sidelines.