CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (Oct. 5, 2025) - Atlanta United 2 drew 1-1 with Chattanooga FC, but fell 5-4 in the extra-point penalty shootout to be eliminated from MLS NEXT Pro playoff contention on Decision Day. Atlanta needed a win with help or a shootout win with help to earn its first-ever playoff berth.
Atlanta began the game on the front foot, scoring a goal in the second minute. Patrick Weah dribbled past a Chattanooga defender into the box and tried to cut it back centrally but it deflected off of Luke Husakiwsky. The ball landed for Santiago Pita, who sole-rolled around a defender and calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net for the early lead.
Chattanooga equalized in the 26th minute. Daniel Mangarov received the ball from Steeve Louis Jean on the right side and sent Yuval Cohen through centrally, and the striker put away the one-on-one chance.
Atlanta nearly retook the lead three minutes later. Weah stripped the ball from Louis Jean on the left and took off for goal, but Eldin Jakupović sent the near-post shot over the bar for a corner.
The second half was much more tense with both sides going back-and-forth. Atlanta's best chance of the half came through Moises Tablante. The Venzeuelan delivered a pin-point cross into a wide-open Ryan Carmichael at the center of the six-yard box, but Jakupović held on to the header fired straight at the goalkeeper.
In the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time, Keegan Ancelin was sent through on goal with a chance to win it and eliminate Atlanta, but Toto Majub brought him down outside of the box. Majub received a straight red card, but preserved the draw to send both sides into a shootout.
With a regulation draw, a Carolina Core loss and Toronto FC II loss, Atlanta needed to win the shootout to clinch a playoff berth. Jonathan Ransom saved Tate Robertson's attempt, but Jakupović saved Sal Mazzaferro's attempt. The sides went to sudden death and Gabriel Wesseh had his attempt saved to earn Chattanooga the extra point and eliminate Atlanta from playoff contention in a heartbreaking end to the season.
