MARIETTA, Ga. (Aug. 18, 2026) - Atlanta United 2 earned a 2-1 victory over Chicago Fire FC II on Tuesday at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground in Marietta. Arif Kovac tied the existing Atlanta United 2 record for goals in a single season with his 16th as Atlanta swept the three-game season series against Chicago.
After seeing a shot from Kovac crash off the top crossbar in the 30th minute, Atlanta made amends with the opening goal three minutes later. Santiago Pita, receiving a central pass from Dominik Chong Qui 20 yards out from goal, lofted a first time pass to Kovac at the top of the box. With a deft midair touch off his right ankle, Kovac played another first time pass in to Cameron Dunbar, who was running in behind. Dunbar, with the ball at the goal line, cut a pass back to an open Kovac, who finished at the near post with a first-time strike on his left foot to give Atlanta the lead.
Atlanta doubled its lead in the 39th minute. Andrew Jardines, in the middle of the attacking third, found Enzo Dovlo on the right wing. Dovlo then cut inside past two defenders and ran parallel to the top of the box before rifling the ball into the top-left corner of the net with his left foot.
Just before stoppage time, Santiago Pita forced a difficult save from a free kick. Standing slightly to the left from 20 yards out, Pita ran up and curled the ball with his left foot around the wall and toward the bottom-left corner of the net. Chicago goalkeeper Jason Nemo Jr., whose vision was blocked by the wall momentarily, had to react quickly to cover his near post as he narrowly pushed the effort away from goal. A follow-up chance taken by Dunbar was also saved, and Atlanta entered the half with its two-goal advantage.
For the majority of the second half, Atlanta defended its lead amid 10 shots inside the box, five corners, 272 passes and a shot off the post in the 74th minute from Chicago.
That lead was halved when, in the second minute of stoppage time, Chicago right midfielder Brody Williams scored. Chicago defensive midfielder Richard Fleming, from the left side of the attacking third, played a diagonal ball past multiple Atlanta players toward Williams in the box. Having been left alone on the right side, Williams drove forward, facing one-on-one with Jonathan Ransom, and fired the ball across the spreading goalkeeper to make it 2-1 with very little time remaining.
In the 93rd minute, Dovlo and Chicago wingback Damian Nigg were sent off. Following an exchange of words, Nigg shoved Dovlo, who retaliated similarly. As players from both teams broke up the interaction, the referee immediately brandished a straight red card to both players, resulting in their suspension for the following match. With both teams down to 10 men, Atlanta was able to see out its narrow advantage in the waning minutes, securing all three points and re-entering the playoff picture.
Atlanta United 2 (11-8-4, 37 points) returns to action Saturday, Aug. 22, when it takes on Orlando City B at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground (1 p.m. ET, MLSNEXTPro.com, OneFootball App, Soccer Down Here).
