Atlanta United 2 took down Carolina Core FC 4-0 at Fifth Third Stadium on Sunday afternoon to claim its first win of the 2024 campaign. Luke Brennan, Javier Armas and Karim Tmimi all found the back of the net.
Atlanta United 2 started the match off on the front foot, as midfielder Alan Carleton found himself with a dangerous scoring opportunity in the eighth minute, receiving a well-placed cross from Daniel Russo in the middle of the box, but Carletonβs shot attempt to the middle of goal was saved by the keeper.
Atlanta broke through in the 24th minute after Armas lofted a pass through the box and found Brennan who flicked it through traffic to the left side of the net to put ATL UTD 2 ahead 1-0.
Two minutes later, Brennan secured a brace after Russo sent in another well-placed cross to the center of the penalty area, striking the ball with the outside of his boot and sent it narrowly by the keeper on the left side of the goal.
In the 30th minute, Brennan was taken out just outside the 18-yard box. Armas stepped up to take the free kick and struck the ball into the right side of the net to give Atlanta a 3-0 lead heading into halftime.
Atlanta was able to keep the pressure on CCFC in the second half, snuffing out any attempt on goal, including an impressive 1-on-1 save from John Berner in the 61st minute to maintain the clean sheet.
ATL UTD 2 capped off the scoring in the 78th minute after MatΓas Gallardo sent a through ball to Stephen Hurlock running down the right wing. Hurlock collected the pass and cut to the center of the box to lay off the ball for Tmimi, who struck a right-footed shot to the lower left corner of the goal.
Atlanta United 2 (1-1-0, 3 points) returns to action Monday, April 15 when it hosts Philadelphia Union II at Fifth Third Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET, 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.
Notes:
- Atlanta United 2 kept its first clean sheet since 6/18/23 against Toronto FC II.
- Atlanta United 2's four goals are tied for second most in club history in MLS NEXT Pro play.
- Atlanta United 2's nine shots on goal are second most in club history in MLS NEXT Pro play.
- Atlanta United 2's three assists are tied for second most in club history in MLS NEXT Pro play.
- Atlanta United 2's three goals in the first half are tied for second most in a half in club history in MLS NEXT Pro play.
- Javier Armas scored his second goal of the season.
- Luke Brennan netted his first and second goals of the season. His brace is the sixth in club history in MLS NEXT Pro play.
- Karim Tmimi registered his first goal of the season.
- Matthew Dejianne made his first start for Atlanta United 2.
- Miles Hadley, Stephen Hurlock and Jacob Williams all made their debut for Atlanta United 2.
- Daniel Russo and Stephen Hurlock recorded their first assists of the season.
- John Berner registered his first clean sheet with the club and made five saves.
Stats:
Shots: 13-17 CCFC
Shots on target:Β 9-5 AtlantaΒ
Corner kicks: 4-10 CCFC
Fouls Committed: 16-16
Passing accuracy:Β 81.0 - 82.5 CCFC
Possession:Β 53% - 47% Atlanta
Scoring:
ATL β Brennan (Armas) 24βΒ
ATL β Brennan (Russo) 26βΒ
ATL β Armas 33βΒ
ATL β Tmimi (Hurlock) 78βΒ
Disciplinary:
ATL β Javier Armas 2β π¨Β
ATL β Nobel Okello 40β π¨Β
CCFC β Christian Diaz 51β π¨Β
CCFC β Facundo Canete 59β π¨
