Atlanta United 2 Extends Unbeaten Run After 1-1 Draw at Inter Miami CF II

Atlanta United 2 continued its four-match unbeaten run after a 1-1 draw against Inter Miami CF II at Chase Stadium on Sunday night. Atlanta took down Miami in the penalty shootout 4-3 to secure the extra point. Goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert posted a club record 13 saves while captain Javier Armas scored his sixth goal of the year.

Miami stayed on the front foot for most of the first half but its offense was shut down by Hibbert. In the 31st minute, Inter Miami's Leo Afonso received a ball flicked over the defense, opening space in the box for him to have a clear shot on goal but Hibbert stretched his leg to send it out for a corner. Hibbert posted yet another save in the 43rd to keep things level heading into the dressing room after Afonso pulled back the ball at the edge of the penalty area before launching a right-footed shot that Hibbert dove to save.

Atlanta's best chance of the first half came in the 41st minute after Dominik Chong Qui intercepted a ball in Miami's half, initiating a counter and slipping a pass to an unmarked Adyn Torres to set up a one-on-one opportunity in the box; but Torres' shot was kicked away before it could cross the goal line.

Atlanta broke through in the 54th minute after Matías Gallardo floated a free kick toward the back post landing at the feet of an in-stride Armas who sent it past the keeper with a one-time finish.

Inter Miami equalized in the 63rd minute after a chaotic moment in the box saw the ball ricochet five times before landing at the feet of Ian Fray who tapped it in. The home side controlled the rest of the contest which ended scoreless in regulation, sending the match into a penalty shootout with an extra point up for grabs.

Atlanta converted four of its five penalties, with Ramzi Qawasmy narrowly slotting in the eventual winner just past Cole Jensen's reach. Afonso missed the first penalty for the home side after Hibbert read his attempt and stopped his shot from going in the bottom right corner. ATL UTD 2 walked away with two points after Lawson Sunderland sent Miami's final attempt wide left.

Atlanta United 2 (6-9-5, 26 points) returns to Fifth Third Stadium on Aug. 23 for a Friday night duel against Orlando City B (7:30 p.m. ET, Apple TV - MLS Season Pass, 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.

Penalty Shootout:
ATL
Javier Armas – ✅
Noble Okello – ✅
Alan Carleton – ✅
Jacob Williams – ❌
Ramzi Qawasmy – ✅

MIA
Dairon Reyes – ✅
Leo Afonso – ❌
Franco Negri – ✅
Ryan Carmichael – ✅
Lawson Sunderland – ❌

Notes:

• ATL UTD 2 improves to 3-2 in penalty shootouts this season
• Midfielder Javier Armas is the only ATL UTD 2 player to appear in all 1,800 minutes this season.
• Javier Armas scored his sixth goal of the season.
• Matías Gallardo recorded his second assist of the year.
• Jayden Hibbert posted a club record 13 saves.

Stats:
Shots: 25-14 Miami
Shots on target: 14-6 Miami
Corner kicks: 7-3 Miami
Fouls Committed: 14-9 Miami
Passing accuracy: 89.5% - 87.6% Miami

Scoring:
ATL – Javier Armas (Gallardo) 54'
MIA – Ian Fray (Morales) 63'

Disciplinary:
MIA – Lawson Sunderland 🟨 18'
MIA – Franco Negri 🟨 37'
ATL – Karim Tmimi 🟨 48'
MIA – Ian Fray 🟨 53'
ATL – Alan Carleton 🟨 89'