Atlanta United 2 defeated Loudoun United 2-0 on Saturday evening in Fifth Third Bank Stadium. Raimar recorded his first professional brace, scoring in both halves and helping ATL UTD 2 keep its second clean sheet of the season.
Atlanta opened the scoring through a penalty in the 32nd minute. After Raimar touched down an over-the-top ball from Efraín Morales for Andy Sullins, it was the ATL UTD Academy forward who spun into the penalty area. Jacob Greene brought down Sullins inside the box, prompting referee Adorae Monroy to award ATL UTD 2 a penalty. Raimar placed the ball on the spot before implementing a stutter-step approach and slotting in his second goal of the season past goalkeeper Luis Zamudio.
Loudoun believed they had equalized in the 78th minute through a Carson Vom Steeg header on a set piece; however, the referee had disallowed the goal for a foul.
Azaad Liadi had an opportunity to level from point-blank range in the 89th minute, but Justin Garces came up with a heroic save to keep Atlanta on top. In his return to the squad, Garces made five saves and kept his first clean sheet of the season.
Raimar ensured that Atlanta would be taking three points from the matchup, scoring in stoppage time with a breakaway goal. The Brazilian started the move himself by dispossessing the opposition in the midfield. Picking up the loose ball, David Mejía sent Raimar on a run toward goal. The full back ran with the ball from the halfway line into the Loudoun penalty area before unleashing a shot with his left foot for his first goal this season from open play.
ATL UTD 2 (3-10-1, 10 points) ends its two-match homestand at Fifth Third Bank Stadium next Saturday, June 18 against Hartford Athletic (7:30 p.m., ESPN+).
MATCH INFO
Atlanta 2, Loudoun United 0
Fifth Third Bank Stadium
Kennesaw, Georgia
STATS
Shots: 10-10
Shots on Target: 5-3 Loudoun
Corner kicks: 7-2 Loudoun
Fouls committed: 15-10 Atlanta
Offsides: 3-0 Atlanta
Possession: 62-38 Loudoun
Passing Accuracy: 82-74.8 Loudoun
SCORING SUMMARYATL – Raimar 32' (penalty)
ATL – Raimar 90+4’ (David Mejía)
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
ATL – Efraín Morales 20’ (yellow)
LDN – Luis Zamudio 32’ (yellow)
ATL – Raimar 60’ (yellow)
ATL – Noah Cobb 77’ (yellow)
LDN – Kimarni Smith 80’ (yellow)
ATL UTD 2 STARTING LINEUP
Justin Garces; Nigel Prince (Noah Cobb – 64’), Grant Howard, Efraín Morales, Raimar; Andy Sullins (Aiden McFadden – 63’), Robbie Mertz ©, Nick Firmino (Ajani Fortune – 68’), Tristan Trager (David Mejía – 77’); Darwin Matheus (Jonantan Villal – 63’), Jackson Conway.
Substitutes not used: Dagoberto Romero, Brendan Lambe.
LOUDOUN UNITED STARTING LINEUP
Luis Zamudio; Grant Lillard (Jalen Robinson – HT), Carson Vom Steeg, Rio Hope-Gund; Sami Guediri (Alexander Dexter – HT), Nicky Downs, Houssou Landry (Zoumana Diarra – 64’), Jacob Greene, Abdoul Zanne (Azaad Liadi – 64’); Kimarni Smith, Abdallatif Aboukoura (Gavin Turner – 86’).
Substitutes not used: Joe Rice, Jace Clark.
OFFICIALS
Adorae Monroy (referee), Brian Marshall (assistant), Walt Heatherly (assistant), Kyle Johnston (fourth official)
TEAM NOTES
- Raimar records first professional brace
- ATL UTD 2 keeps second clean sheet of the season
- Justin Garces keeps his first clean sheet of the season, recording five saves
ATTENDANCE
339
