Atlanta United 2 dropped to Chicago Fire FC II 2-1 Thursday night at SeatGeek Stadium as Chris Gloster made his team debut as a 71st minute substitute.
The first dangerous chance of the night came from the home team in the 8th minute. Chicago battled to regain possession inside their own 18-yard-box and quickly got out in transition through Victor Bazerra. The forward dribbled up the middle of the pitch and was eventually fouled just outside the box by Efraín Morales. Bazerra stepped up to take the free kick but his attempt was blocked by the wall and cleared from danger.
In the 16th minute, Chicago threatened to score again on a give and go at the edge of the 18 played through for Alex Monis. Monis took a few touches towards the back line before Noah Cobb blocked the shot attempt outside for a Chicago corner. In the 31st minute, Atlanta found its best chance of the half off a corner directed to Firmino in the box, but the league leading goal-scorer's header fell into the arms of Jeffrey Gal for his first save of the evening.
On their 11th shot attempt of the half, Chicago found the breakthrough in the 45th minute through Bazerra. The play began down the left wing with Charlie Ostrem who played Monis into the left edge of the box. Monis quickly turned and cut back a pass near the penalty spot for the one touch goal by Bazerra.
In the 57th minute, Chicago doubled its lead off the right boot of Monis. Justin Reynolds found Monis running in towards the back post and sent in a cross from the right wing. Monis one-timed the pass into the bottom left corner for the 2-0 lead.
Atlanta continued to fight till the final whistle as Jackson Conway forced an own goal off Chicago's keeper through a corner curled in by Gloster. Conway rose above Chicago's defender and headed his attempt off the back post before ricocheting off Gal back and going passed the goal-line as time expired.
ATL UTD 2 returns to action Wednesday, August 9 at Fifth Third Bank Stadium to take on Crown Legacy FC (7:30 p.m. ET, Apple TV - MLS Season Pass). 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: 17-10 Chicago
Shots on target: 4-4
Corner kicks: 7-5 Atlanta
Fouls Committed: 23-11 Chicago
xG: 1.6 - .84 Chicago
Possession: 59-41 Atlanta
Passing accuracy: 87-83 Atlanta
Scoring
CHI - Viktor Bazerra (Monis) 45'
CHI - Alex Monis (Reynolds) 57'
ATL - Jeffrey Gal (OG) 90' + 4'
Disciplinary
ATL - Efraín Morales 🟨 8'
ATL - Adyn Torres 🟨 29'
CHI - Missael Rodriguez 🟨 43'
ATL - Erik Centeno 🟨 80'
CHI - Noeh Hernandez 🟨 87'
Notes
- Christopher Gloster made his ATL UTD 2 debut after his MLS loan on July 27.
