Atlanta United 2 Draws El Paso Locomotive FC 2-2
July 2, 2022 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Atlanta United 2 News Release
KENNESAW, Ga. - Atlanta United 2 drew El Paso Locomotive FC 2-2 at Fifth Third Bank Stadium on Saturday night after weather delayed kick off by an hour and a half. Tristan Trager scored two goals to record his second-consecutive brace, replicating his tally from Wednesday's game against Charleston Battery.
El Paso opened the scoring in the 4th minute. A Locomotive FC corner fell to Eder Borelli, who touched the ball into open space and prevented the opportunity from being cleared by the Atlanta defense. Ricardo Zacarias found Luis Solignac with a first-time cross and the striker took a quick touch before slotting in his team-leading seventh goal of the season.
Trager netted the equalizer for Atlanta in the 11th minute. Raimar intercepted a pass in the offensive third as El Paso failed to play out of its half. The Brazilian found Robbie Mertz on the left edge of the penalty area and the Atlanta captain beat two defenders on the dribble before lofting a weighted ball to the back post. Trager was there to meet it, heading it past goalkeeper Evan Newton.
The duo of Mertz and Trager combined again to take a 2-1 advantage for the hosts. Mertz picked up possession on the halfway line before putting Trager through on goal with a pass. The Air Force Academy alumnus ran into the El Paso box, composed himself and found the back of the net with his left foot for his fifth goal in a week.
The Atlanta defense held strong until second-half stoppage time, as Eric Calvillo converted a free kick to steal a point late on.
ATL UTD 2 (4-12-2, 14 points) finishes out its two-match homestand against Birmingham Legion on Wednesday, July 6 (7:30 p.m., ESPN+).
MATCH RESOURCES
Post-match interviews with Jack Collison and Tristan Trager
MATCH INFO
Atlanta 2, El Paso 2
Fifth Third Bank Stadium
Kennesaw, Georgia
STATS
Shots: 25-13 El Paso
Shots on Target: 9-4 El Paso
Corner kicks: 10-1 El Paso
Fouls committed: 17-11 El Paso
Offsides: 1-1
Possession: 62.8-37.2 El Paso
Passing Accuracy: 81.5-73.8 El Paso
SCORING SUMMARY
ELP - Luis Solignac 4' (Ricardo Zacarías)
ATL - Tristan Trager 11' (Robbie Mertz)
ATL - Tristan Trager 17' (Robbie Mertz)
ELP - Eric Calvillo 90+1' (unassisted)
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
ELP - Aaron Gomez 34' (yellow)
ELP - Andrew Fox 35' (yellow)
ELP - Ricardo Zacarias 40' (yellow)
ATL - Jackson Conway 44' (yellow)
ATL - Robbie Mertz 68' (yellow)
ATL - Nelson Orji 89' (yellow)
ELP - Ricardo Zacarias 90+4' (2nd yellow/red)
ATL UTD 2 STARTING LINEUP
Vicente Reyes; Grant Howard, Noah Cobb, Nelson Orji; David Mejía, Robbie Mertz ©, Ajani Fortune (Nick Firmino - 71'), Darwin Matheus (Toni Tiente - , Raimar (Luke Brennan - 60'); Jackson Conway (Andy Sullins - 71'), Tristan Trager.
Substitutes not used: Justin Garces, Efrain Morales, Erik Centeno.
EL PASO LOCOMOTIVE STARTING LINEUP
Evan Newton; Matt Bahner, Eder Borelli (Martin Payares - 90+7'), Andrew Fox, Nick Hinds (Noe Coutino - 65'); Richie Ryan © (Christiano Francois - 78'), Sebastian Velásquez (Eric Calvillo - 65'), Dylan Mares (Ander Egiluz - 78'), Aaron Gómez, Ricardo Zacarías; Luis Solignac.
Substitutes not used: Philipp Beigl, Emmanuel Sonope.
OFFICIALS
Jose Carlos Rivero (referee), Zach McWhorter (assistant), Kevin Huet (assistant), Kyle Johnston (fourth official)
TEAM NOTES
Tristan Trager recorded his second-consecutive brace
Robbie Mertz assisted two goals on the night
Robbie Mertz recorded his fourth assist of the season, a team high
Vicente Reyes made seven saves, a career high
ATTENDANCE
534
• Discuss this story on the United Soccer League Championship message board...
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 2, 2022
- San Antonio FC Defeats Charleston Battery 2-0 in Matthew Cardone's Final Match - San Antonio FC
- Lights FC Winning Streak Snapped by Detroit City FC - Las Vegas Lights FC
- Atlanta United 2 Draws El Paso Locomotive FC 2-2 - Atlanta United 2
- Battery Unable to Overcome San Antonio in 2-0 Defeat - Charleston Battery
- Miami FC Picks up Three Points on the Road at Indy Eleven - Miami FC
- El Paso Locomotive FC Steals Point in 2-2 Draw with Atlanta United II - El Paso Locomotive FC
- Legion FC's Four Game Win Streak Ends at Louisville - Birmingham Legion FC
- Late Penalty Keys a Dramatic LouCity Win over Birmingham - Louisville City FC
- Rowdies Top Memphis 2-0, Close Gap in East - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Despite Three Saves from Tim Trilk, Indiana's Team Downed in Return to Carroll Stadium - Indy Eleven
- Memphis 901 FC Falls to Tampa Bay Rowdies 2-0, Split Season Series - Memphis 901 FC
- Memphis 901 FC Falls to Tampa Bay Rowdies 2-0, Split Season Series - Memphis 901 FC
- Academy Teams Close out Season with Strong Performances at MLS Next Cup & Showcase - Sacramento Republic FC
- New York Red Bulls II Part Ways with Gary Lewis - New York Red Bulls II
- LA Galaxy II Nets Three to Top Oakland Roots SC, 3-1 - LA Galaxy II
- NYRB II Falls to Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at MSU Soccer Park - New York Red Bulls II
- Inside the 18: Zach Ryan, Jeremy Rafanello up Top as Red Bulls II Hosts Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC - New York Red Bulls II
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Atlanta United 2 Stories
- Late Game-Winner Gives Atlanta United 2-1 Win Against Toronto FC
- Atlanta United Signs Matías Gallardo to Short-Term Agreement
- Atlanta United Signs Four Players to Short-Term Agreements
- Atlanta United 2 Signs Defender Ethan Dudley
- Atlanta United 2 Defender Ramzi Qawasmy to Miss 6-8 Weeks