MLS NEXT Pro Atlanta United 2

Atlanta United 2 Falls 2-0 to Columbus Crew 2

July 28, 2023 - MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
Atlanta United 2 News Release


Atlanta United 2 Battles Columbus Crew 2
Atlanta United 2 Battles Columbus Crew 2
(Atlanta United 2)

MARIETTA, Ga. - Atlanta United 2 fell to Columbus Crew 2 2-0 Friday night at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground as Atlanta United players Ajani Fortune, Aiden McFadden and Noah Cobb started for ATL UTD 2.

Following an hour and a half-long lightning delay, Atlanta nearly grabbed the lead in the 11th minute through a counterattack from Luke Brennan. The homegrown winger was played on a long ball through the right sideline before switching it to Erik Centeno across the field. Centeno took one touch before crossing it to Nick Firmino for a header that sailed just above the crossbar.

In the 41st minute, Justin Garces was forced to make a diving save after a direct free kick taken by Noah Fuson just outside the box threatened Atlanta's goal. Garces dove right to make the save, but the ball dangerously bounced inside the box before Giorgio De Libera attempted to knock in the rebound that fell directly to Garces.

Columbus opened the scoring quickly to start the second half. A give and go pass from Fuson in the final third left Taha Habroune in front of goal with only Garces to beat. Habroune calmly tapped in the goal into the bottom left corner for the 1-0 lead. In the 60th minute, Columbus added to its lead through Coleman Gannon. The play began with Stuart Ritchie down the left wing before cutting back a pass through the 18-yard-box to Gannon who one timed his goal with his left boot into the bottom left corner.

ATL UTD 2 returns to action Thursday, August 3 at SeatGeek Stadium to take on Chicago Fire II (7:00 p.m. ET, Apple TV - MLS Season Pass). Some ATL UTD 2 matches are available with an MLS Season Pass subscription, located on the Apple TV app while the remainder of matches are streamed live on MLSNEXTPro.com.

Match Summary

Stats

Shots: 16-8 Columbus

Shots on target: 8-2 Columbus

Corner kicks: 6-2 Columbus

Fouls Committed: 13-12 Atlanta

xG: .79 - .53 Columbus

Possession: 50-50

Passing accuracy: 89-88 Atlanta

Scoring

CLB - Taha Habroune (Fuson) 50'

CLB - Coleman Gannon (Ritchie) 60'

Disciplinary

ATL - Efraín Morales 19'

ATL - Erik Centeno 32'

CLB - Christopher Rodgers 68'

ATL - Toni Tiente 74'

ATL - Adyn Torres 82' Notes

Matthew Dejianne made his third appearance of the season.

Adyn Torres started in his second game this season at 15 years old.

ATLANTA UNITED 2 STARTING XI

GK: Justin Garces

D: Erik Centeno (Matthew Dejianne - 87')

D: Efraín Morales

D: Noah Cobb (Alan Carleton - 66')

D: Adyn Torres

M: Aiden McFadden

M: Shawn Lanza

M: Ajani Fortune (Toni Tiente - 61')

M: Nick Firmino (C)

M: Luke Brennan (Rocket Ritarita - 87')

F: Jackson Conway (Karim Tmimi - 61')

Substitutes not used:

Sebastián Guerra

David Mejía

Cooper Sanchez

Kofi Twumasi COLUMBUS CREW 2 STARTING XI

GK: Brady Scott

D: Clay Holstad

D: Stuart Ritchie (Nana Tuffour - 88')

D: Christopher Rodgers

D: Abdi Mohamed

M: Marco Micaletto

M: Giorgio De Libera

M: Taha Habroune (Cole Mrowka - 71')

F: Coleman Gannon (Brent Adu-Gyamfi - 71')

F: Mataeo Banbury (Mohamed Saad - 82')

F: Noah Fuson

Substitutes not used:

Jacob Erlandson

Ty Nero

Owen Presthus

Nicolas Rincon

Stephen Yerian

OFFICIALS

Laura Rodriguez (referee), Hillis Waddell II (assistant), Melissa Gonzalez (assistant), Amin Hadzic (fourth)

Check out the Atlanta United 2 Statistics




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Atlanta United 2 Battles Columbus Crew 2
Atlanta United 2 Battles Columbus Crew 2
   



MLS NEXT Pro Stories from July 28, 2023


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