MLS NEXT Pro Atlanta United 2

Atlanta United 2 Host Independent Club Carolina Core in Sunday Matinee

Published on March 23, 2024 under MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
Atlanta United 2 News Release


ATLANTA - Atlanta United 2 returns to action this Sunday, March 24 as the club is set to host newly formed and independent club Carolina Core at Fifth Third Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:00 p.m. ET and will be streamed on MLSNEXTPro.com, while fans can also tune in to the Soccer Down Here audio stream.

Last Time Out

Atlanta United 2 is coming off a 3-2 loss in its season opener to Orlando City B on March 16. Midfielder Javier Armas scored his first professional goal after slotting in a right-footed penalty kick in the 10th minute. In the 27th minute, Jhon Solís equalized with a penalty of his own. Orlando took the lead shortly after following a goal from a free kick taken by Yutaro Tsukada. Orlando added another to its lead coming out of halftime when Colin Guske sent in a long-range shot to the top left corner. Efraín Morales pulled one back for ATL UTD 2 in stoppage time after Erik Centeno sent in a well-placed cross to the center of the box for Morales to head home.

Cooke in the Kitchen

Head coach Steve Cooke returns for his second year on the sideline after coaching his squad to a 9-13-6 (W-L-D, 33 points) record in 2023. In their first season at the helm, Cooke and his staff helped develop multiple talents that now appear on Atlanta United's First Team squad, including Nick Firmino, who was named to the MLS NEXT Pro Best XI after finishing with a single-season club record 16 goals while his combined 22 goals and assists tied him for second in MLS NEXT Pro. Last year's roster also featured Homegrown talents Luke Brennan, Noah Cobb, Efraín Morales and Adyn Torres, all of which currently have a contract with Atlanta United's First Team.

New Year, New Faces

ATL UTD 2's 2024 roster features a slew of new names, including the club's two 2024 MLS SuperDraft picks: former University of Connecticut goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert and Oregon State University midfielder Javier Armas. Free agent signings include goalkeeper John Berner, defenders Matt Edwards and Daniel Russo, midfielders Noble Okello and Jacob Williams, and forward Ashton Gordon, who earned a contract after his performances at the Academy. Matías Gallardo, Alan Carleton and Karim Tmimi headline returning players for ATL UTD 2, as well as Erik Centeno, who will be on loan with the squad for the 2024 season.

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