Atlanta United 2 fell to New York Red Bulls II 2-1 at MSU Soccer Park on Tuesday evening.
A cagey 45 minutes opened the matchup between the two MLS affiliates but it was Atlanta who had the most clear-cut chance. Raimar ran to the byline before putting in a cross for Nick Firmino, who fizzed a shot that deflected before it reached the Red Bull goal. Goalkeeper Giannis Nikopolidis adjusted and made a sprawling save to keep Firmino off the scoresheet.
The game opened up for both teams in the second half and the quality of chances increased. Shortly after Curtis Ofori forced a kick save out of Vicente Reyes, Erik Centeno hit the crossbar with a first-time shot.
New York was reduced to 10 men in the 65th minute after Michael Knapp brought down Luke Brennan, who was clear on goal before being fouled.
The deadlock was broken by a 68th-minute goal from Raimar. Andrew De Gannes was able to save the ball from going out for a throw in and sent it up toward Brennan. The 17-year-old dribbled into the box and cut it back for Raimar, who poked a finish into the back of the net despite being surrounded by three Red Bull players.
Red Bulls II drew the match level with a goal from Steven Sserwadda in the 82nd minute. John Murphy sent Sserwadda on a run down the right wing before the Ugandan midfielder chipped a charging Reyes for the equalizer.
O’Vonte Mullings scored the winning goal for the hosts in the 90th minute. A Sserwadda cross traveled through the box from the left side to the feet of Mullings, who secured the win for Red Bulls II with a half-volley finish.
ATL UTD 2 (4-18-4, 16 points) returns to Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, Georgia on Saturday, August 13 to take on Miami FC (7:30 p.m., ESPN+).
MATCH INFO
New York 2, Atlanta 1
MSU Soccer Park
Montclair, New Jersey
STATS
Shots: 13-10 New York
Shots on Target: 5-3 New York
Corner kicks: 4-4
Fouls committed: 24-16 New York
Offsides: 7-1 Atlanta
Possession: 59-41 New York
Passing Accuracy: 77-63 New York
SCORING SUMMARY
ATL – Raimar 68’ (Luke Brennan)
NYRB – Steven Sserwadda 82’ (John Murphy)
ATL – Erik Centeno 19’ (yellow)
NYRB – O’Vonte Mullings
NYRB - 90’ (Steven Sserwadda)
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
NYRB – Zach Ryan 43’ (yellow)
NYRB – Michael Knapp 55’ (yellow)
NYRB – Michael Knapp 65’ (red)
ATL – Nick Firmino 76’ (yellow)
ATL UTD 2 STARTING LINEUP
Vicente Reyes; Bryce Washington, Toni Tiente, Nelson Orji, Andrew De Gannes; Efrain Morales, Ajani Fortune ©, Alan Carleton (Luke Brennan – 59’); Erik Centeno (Darwin Matheus – 83’), Nick Firmino, Raimar.
Substitutes not used: Justin Garces, Emenike Nwogu, Mathieu Brick.
NEW YORK RED BULLS II STARTING LINEUP
Giannis Nikopolidis; O’Vonte Mullings, Michael Knapp, Daniel De Leon (Jonathan Filipe – 83’), Curtis Ofori; Wikelman Carmona (Lamine Conte – 70’), Jesús Castellano; Steven Sserwadda, Caden Clark (Jordan Adebayo-Smith – 64’), Daniel Edelman (John Murphy – 64’); Zach Ryan.
Substitutes not used: Derrek Chan, Christopher Cragwell, Erick Ruiz.
OFFICIALS
DeShun Beard (referee), Amilcar Sicaju (assistant), Max Smith (assistant) Ernie Constantine (fourth official)
TEAM NOTES
- Luke Brennan recorded his first professional assist
- Alan Carleton started his first professional match
- Andrew De Gannes started his first professional match
