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MLS NEXT Pro Atlanta United 2

Atlanta United 2 Plays to 1-1 Draw at FC Cincinnati 2

May 25, 2023 - MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
Atlanta United 2 News Release


Atlanta United 2 Battles FC Cincinnati 2
Atlanta United 2 Battles FC Cincinnati 2
(Atlanta United 2)

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Atlanta United 2 secured a point at FC Cincinnati 2 following a 1-1 draw Thursday night at NKU Soccer Stadium. Cincinnati earned an extra point after winning the shootout 3-2. Karim Tmimi scored his fourth goal of the season, while 16-year-old Academy player Matthew Dejianne made his professional debut.

ATL UTD 2 got off to an early 1-0 lead in the second minute of the match. Nick Firmino earned a foul near the edge of the box and the free kick was taken by the left boot of Raimar. His free kick rebounded off the crossbar and fell directly to Tmimi in front of goal, who gently tapped in the first goal of the match on the follow up. It was the French striker's fourth goal in his last last five matches played.

Atlanta's defense was able to hold Cincinnati without a big chance in the first half and generated several chances of their own on the other end. In the 11th minute, Luke Brennan dribbled the ball up the left sideline and sent a low cross in front of goal to Tmimi, but he missed the tap-in chance wide left.

In the 59th minute, Erik Centeno was shown a red card for violent conduct that broke out near the home team's bench, giving Cincinnati a one-man advantage. Shawn Lanza substituted for Alan Carleton to bring in an extra defender for the visiting side in the 61st minute.

In the 73rd minute, Cincinnati found the equalizer off a curling ball sent into the far post by Bret Halsey. Morgan Marshall brought down the pass and one-touched it to Benjamin Stitz, who dove for the header inside the six-yard box and past Vicente Reyes.

Both teams had opportunities to win in regulation, but the match ended 1-1 giving both teams a point and an opportunity to earn an extra point in the standings in a shootout.

In the shootout, Cincinnati's keeper Paul Walters made three saves against Firmino, Brennan and Toni Tiente to give FC Cincinnati 2 the extra point with a 3-2 victory.

ATL UTD 2 returns to home on Sunday, May 28 against TFC II at Fifth Third Bank Stadium (6:00 p.m., 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.

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Atlanta United 2 Battles FC Cincinnati 2
Atlanta United 2 Battles FC Cincinnati 2
   



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