MONTCLAIR, N.J. (May 30, 2025) - Atlanta United 2 fell 1-0 against New York Red Bulls Friday evening at MSU Soccer Park. 18-year-old Academy goalkeeper Reuben Clarson and 17-year-old forward Isaiah Vicentti made their professional debuts as the 5-Stripes' unbeaten streak ended at five games.
Atlanta had its first opportunity in the 15th minute. Moises Tablante received a ball over the top on the left wing and dribbled down the line before playing a square pass to Rodrigo Neri, one-on-one with goalkeeper Aidan Stokes at the top of the box. Neri attempted to dribble around Stokes, but his shot missed the target into the side netting.
Both sides played a cagey first half between the boxes, with chances few and far between for much of the opening period. Red Bulls had their best opportunity with the ball bouncing around the box and multiple players trying their luck on goal. Andy Rojas had the final attempt from the left side of the six-yard box, but Clarson quickly dropped to make the save.
Atlanta gained attacking momentum toward the end of the first half with an opportunity coming in the 38th minute. Nyk Sessock, near the right sideline in New York's half, played a deep cross that landed for Ryan Carmichael at the penalty spot. The Northern Irishman met the header, but did not connect cleanly as the ball landed in the hands of the Stokes. Both teams went into halftime with just one shot on target each.
Atlanta came out of the break quickly with a chance in the 48th minute. Carmichael ran onto a ball over the top and successfully dribbled around three players before firing a driven shot at the top of the box, but it went wide-left of the post. Neri had a chance 10 minutes later on the right side of the box after beating his defender one-on-one, but his strike went straight to Stokes.
Atlanta had a spectacular opportunity in the 69th minute. Starting from Clarson in goal, the 5-Stripes passed their way up to Cooper Sanchez at midfield who dribbled down the field to New York's box. The 17-year-old struck a shot toward the bottom-right corner, where it went past the goalkeeper, bounced from the post onto the crossbar and landed into the hands of Stokes. Moments later, subsitute Patrick Weah played a ball from the right into the path of Carmichael, but his one-on-one opportunity went wide left.
Red Bulls took the lead in the 81st minute. Against the run of play, Julian Hall crossed the ball from the left into the box where Ronan Wynne had an errant touch toward goal out of Clarson's reach, and Nehuen Benedetti tapped the ball in from one yard out. Atlanta pushed for a late equalizer but fell short as the final whistle blew.
Atlanta United 2 (2-3-6, 14 points) returns to action Friday, June 6 when it hosts New York City FC II at Fifth Third Stadium (4:00 p.m. ET, MLSNEXTPro.com, Soccer Down Here). 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.
