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Atlanta United 2 earns shootout win vs. Orlando City B

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Atlanta United 2 picked up two points in a shootout victory against Orlando City B Friday night at Osceola Heritage Park. Karim Tmimi notched his third goal of the season while Luke Brennan scored from a penalty for his first of the year in a 2-2 draw against OCB. In MLS NEXT Pro, teams go to a shootout when the match ends in a draw to determine an extra point in the standings.

Atlanta opened the scoring in the sixth minute. Nick Firmino intercepted a pass in Orlando's defensive half and dribbled into the box before finding Tmimi. The forward took one touch and fired a shot through a pair of Orlando defenders and into the left corner of the goal for a 1-0 lead. It was Firmino's second assist of the season.

Atlanta doubled its lead in the 51st minute off a penalty. Brennan dribbled around a defender and into the box and was eventually fouled by Moises Tablante. Brennan took the spot kick and placed his shot towards the bottom left.

Orlando's Jack Lynn was substituted in for Favian Loyola after the Brennan penalty and immediately made an impact. In the 52nd minute, Tablante sent a cross from the left wing to Lynn who tapped the ball into the goal from inside the six-yard box to make it a one score lead for ATL UTD 2.

In the 66th minute, Erik Centeno earned a penalty when Alexander Freeman was ruled for a foul just inside the edge of the box. This time it was Firmino who stepped up to the spot and went for power, but missed his shot wide right.

Seconds later in the 68th minute, Lynn equalized the score when Tablante lost control of the ball inside the box. Lynn got to the loose ball and fired a one-touch shot with his left foot for his second goal of the night.

During the final minute of stoppage time, both teams had opportunities to find the match-winner, but neither side was able find the go-ahead score and the match ended 2-2, giving both teams a point.

In the shootout, both goalkeepers Sebastian Guerra and Javier Otero were able to secure one save. However, Orlando's Jorge Almaguer sent his shot over the crossbar giving Atlanta the 5-4 shootout victory and two points in the standings.

ATL UTD 2 returns to action Thursday, May 25 on the road against FC Cincinnati 2 at NKU Soccer Stadium (7:00 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: 19-11 Orlando

Shots on target: 6-4 Orlando

Corner kicks: 6-2 Orlando

Fouls Committed: 22-18 Orlando

xG: 2.53 - 1.81 Atlanta

Possession: 54-46 Orlando

Passing accuracy: 90-85 Orlando

Scoring

ATL- Karim Tmimi (Firmino) 6' 

ATL - Luke Brennan (PK) 51'

OCB - Jack Lynn (Tablante) 52'

OCB - Jack Lynn (Juninho) 68'

Disciplinary

OCB - Alex Freeman 🟨 42'

OCB - Moises Tablante 🟨 50'

OCB - Nabilai Kibungunchy 🟨 81'

OCB - Cristian Medina 🟨 90'

OCB - Javier Otero 🟨 98'

ATL - Nelson Orji 🟨 99'

Notes

  • Luke Brennan scored a penalty for his first goal of the season
  • Nelson Orji made his first start of the season
  • Karim Tmimi scored his third goal of the season
  • This was the first shootout victory in ATL UTD 2 history