Atlanta United 2 scored four goals in the second half in a come-from-behind 4-2 victory against New York City FC II Sunday night at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. Nick Firmino scored his ninth and 10th goal of the season while Jonantan Villal recorded his first two assist of the year. Jackson Conway and Aiden McFadden also scored to help Atlanta secure three points in the comeback victory at home.
In the 22nd minute, Matt Myers gave NYCFC II the opening goal after Andrew Baiera cut back a pass from the right edge of the box through a crowd before eventually finding Myers for the one touch goal placed near the bottom left corner.
New York continued to press Atlanta high up the field and in the 50th minute doubled its lead on a counterattack. Jonathan Jiménez played a through pass to Ronald Arévalo who dribbled into the 18-yard-box and snuck his shot past Justin Garces for the second goal of the night.
In the 59th minute, Villal earned a penalty after being fouled inside the 18-yard-box. Conway stepped up to the spot and blasted Atlanta's first goal of the night passed a diving Alexander Yagadayev. It was Conway's second goal of the season.
In the 67th minute, McFadden scored the equalizer after a give and go him and Villal left the Notre Dame product open inside the left side of the box. McFadden took one touch before ripping his shot into the top right corner of the net leaving no chance for New York's goalkeeper. It was McFadden's first goal of the year.
A few minutes later, Firmino gave Atlanta's its first lead of the match from a deflection that came off a New York defender's back and fell to Firmino at the top of the box. The Brazilian midfielder took two touches before curling the ball into the bottom right corner.
In the 84th minute, Firmino found the back of the net again. This time receiving a pass from Villal near top left edge of the box before curling it into the bottom right corner giving Firmino his league-leading 10th goal. It was Villal’s second assist on the season.
ATL UTD 2 returns to action Friday, July 9 at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex at Matthews to take on Crown Legacy FC (5:00 p.m., MLSNEXTPro.com). 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: 16-11 Atlanta
Shots on target: 8-4 Atlanta
Corner kicks: 5-5
Fouls Committed: 15-10 New York
xG: 1.98 - .76 Atlanta
Possession: 51-49 New York
Passing accuracy: 87-84 Atlanta
Scoring
NYC - Matt Myers (Baiera) 22'
NYC - Ronald Arévalo (Jiménez) 50'
ATL - Jackson Conway (penalty) 59'
ATL - Aiden McFadden (Villal) 67'
ATL - Nick Firmino 74'
ATL - Nick Firmino (Villal) 84'
Disciplinary
ATL - Erik Centeno 🟨 31'
NYC - Piero Elias 🟨 33'
ATL - Nick Firmino 🟨 55'
NYC - Rio Hope-Gund 🟨 62'
Notes
- Ronald Hernández made his team debut.
- Jackson Conway scored his second goal on the year.
- Aiden McFadden netted his first goal of the year.
- Nick Firmino scored a brace leaving season total at 10 goals. First in MLS NEXT PRO.
- Tyler Young returned from injury as a substitute in the 83rd minute.
- Jonantan Villal recorded his first two assists of the year.
- Steve Cooke served a one match suspension due to yellow card accumulation. Jose Silva served as head coach and earned his first win as a professional manager.
