Due to the official match referee determining the playing surface to be unplayable at Fifth Third Bank Stadium, tonight's MLS Next Pro match was moved to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta for an 8:30 p.m. start and was played behind closed doors with no stream.
After the hour delay, Atlanta found the breakthrough in the 7th minute after Karim Tmimi regained possession on the left wing of Huntsville's defensive half. The French striker quickly turned and whipped in a cross towards Luke Brennan just in front of goal where the homegrown headed in the ball into the right corner of the net for his third goal of the season.
Huntsville scored the equalizer in the 23rd minute off the foot of Jonathan Bolanos who snuck in the goal passed Garces near the front post.
In the 42nd minute, Nick Firmino regained the lead for Atlanta off a free kick earned by Tmimi 10 yards outside the box. Firmino stepped up to the spot and blasted a shot into the top left corner of the net leaving no chance for the keeper to make a save. It was Atlanta United 2's first free kick goal of the season and a record breaking goal for Firmino who now holds the club record for most goals in a season.
In the 72nd minute, Huntsville evened up the scoring on a counter-attack goal from Azaad Liadi. Liadi was played on a through pass down the center of the field as Garces raced off his line to try and clear the danger. Liadi got to the ball just before Garces and snuck in the team's tying score.
Just a few minutes later, Huntsville took its first lead of the match in the 80th minute off a goal from Nebiyou Perry. The second half substitute took a few dribbles into the box before firing a left footed strike towards the bottom right side of the net and passed the outstretched arms of Garces.
Huntsville doubled its lead in the 86th minute. Kemy Amiche received a pass just outside the 18-yard-box and quickly turned to fire a right footed strike into the bottom left corner of the net to help earn Huntsville three points on the road.
ATL UTD 2 returns to action Friday, July 28 at Fifth Third Bank Stadium to take on Columbus Crew 2 (7:30 p.m., Apple TV - MLS Season Pass). 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.
Match Summary
Stats
N/A
Scoring
ATL - Luke Brennan (Tmimi) 7'
HNT - Jonathan Bolanos 23'
ATL - Nick Firmino (free kick) 42'
HNT - Azaaz Liadi 72'
HNT - Nebiyou Perry 80'
HNT - Kemy Amiche 86'
Disciplinary
ATL - Shawn Lanza 🟨 19'
HNT - Joey DeZart 🟨 60'
ATL - Kofi Twumasi 🟨 64'
ATL - Jackson Conway 🟨 72'
ATL - Nick Firmino 🟨 79'
Notes
- Nick Firmino scored his 12th goal of the season and the first free kick goal for ATL UTD 2 this year.
- Nick Firmino broke the single season scoring record for ATL UTD 2 with his 12th goal on the year.
- Luke Brennan scored his 3rd goal of the season.
- Karim Tmimi added first assist of the year.
