Atlanta United 2 extended its unbeaten streak to three games Wednesday night after securing a 1-1 draw against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. Laurent Kissiedou scored his third goal of the season while the result saw ATL UTD 2 earn its fifth point in its last three matches.
After the match began a half hour early to avoid inclement weather, Pittsburgh took the lead in the 27th minute off a set piece. Christiano Francois floated a free kick to the back post where Thomas Vancaeyezeele headed the ball back across goal into the bottom left corner.
ATL UTD 2 failed to put a shot on target in the first half, but came out of the break reenergized and immediately pressured the Riverhounds defense. In the 51st minute, Homegrown midfielder Chris Goslin sprung Jon Gallagher down the right flank where he delivered a cross into the middle of the box. Kissiedou gathered the ball near the penalty spot, took a touch to put it on his left and fired a low shot, but it was denied by goalkeeper Daniel Lynd and cleared out for a throw.
Off the ensuing throw, Gallagher again sent in a cross which deflected off a Pittsburgh defender and fell to the feet of Kissiedou at the penalty spot. With his second opportunity in less than a minute from the same spot, the Ivorian forward smashed a right-footed shot into the bottom right corner to equalize.
Atlanta nearly took the lead in the 77th minute as Kissiedou played Academy product Jackson Conway into a one-on-one opportunity with Lynd, but the Pittsburgh netminder pawed away the 16-year-old’s shot for a corner.
Pittsburgh pushed hard for the game-winner in the final minutes, but ATL UTD 2 defended well to keep the Eastern Conference’s third place side at bay. Atlanta’s defense came up with seven blocked shots, including five in the final eight minutes, while goalkeeper Alec Kann made a season-high six saves.
ATL UTD 2 (6-17-10, 28 points) wraps up its inaugural season Saturday, Oct. 13 against Richmond Kickers at 7:00 p.m. EST at Coolray Field. The match will be streamed live on ESPN+.
