Martinez hurt as Atlanta spoils Nashville's opener with 2-1 win

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Emerson Hyndman scored in the 37th minute in Atlanta United's 2-1 victory over Nashville, spoiling the expansion team's MLS debut Saturday night. Ezequiel Barco scored the first goal in the ninth minute for United.

Lawrenceville, Ga., native Walker Zimmerman scored the first goal for Nashville off a set piece in the 28th minute. 

But for Atlanta, their first-ever season-opening win was bittersweet, with star striker Josef Martinez leaving the game on a stretcher with a right knee injury in the second half. 

FOX 5 Sports saw Martinez exiting the Atlanta United locker room after the game with an air cast encasing his right leg. Martinez was using a crutch to walk a few steps in visible pain before a cart took him out of Nissan Stadium.

Head coach Frank de Boer said Martinez did not "look really well," and that Martinez's knee would be evaluated in Atlanta. 

"Everybody knows that Josef, when he's in form, he's the best I think in the MLS," de Boer said after Saturday's game. "So it's going to be a big loss if -- don't want to speculate of course, but of course you always would like Josef on your team. That's maybe the first guy you put in on your list."

On Sunday, Atlanta United confirmed in a press release sent to FOX 5 that Martinez did suffer a torn ACL in his right knee and will udergo surgery.

Goalkeeper Brad Guzan said he was proud of the team's response to adversity when Martinez and Franco Escobar.

"Part of team sports, isn't it? It's next guy up, step up and do the job. Laurence (Wyke) came on and was fantastic. Adam (Jahn) came on and was fantastic," Guzan said. "It is what it is. That's not our job to worry about. Our job is whoever gets called upon to step on the field is, one, they're ready, and two, they perform."