Atlanta United 2 fell 2-0 to NYCFC II Sunday night at Belson Stadium. Despite the result, Vicente Reyes recorded an individual season-high five saves.
NYCFC II struck first with a goal in the eighth minute. Andres Jasson received a pass on the edge of the six-yard box on the left side and delivered a low ball to Justin Haak who was ready in the center of the box and tapped in the game's opening goal. Atlanta was under duress from New York's press throughout the first half and managed two shots, one on goal in the opening 45 minutes.
ATL UTD 2 came out with renewed energy in the second half and came close to leveling the match in the 60th minute. Aidan McFadden delivered a cross from the left wing that was knocked down in the box and fell kindly for Erik Lopez. The forward reacted quick and took a left-footed shot from close range, but his attempt was deflected out for a corner.
Atlanta continued to search for the equalizer and had another scoring opportunity in the 65th minute. Erik Centeno lobbed a cross from the right side of the box to the back post for McFadden, but his header was lifted over the bar.
Reyes made one of his five saves from point-blank range in the 68th minute. NYCFC's Stephen Turnbull dribbled into the box and fired a shot from 10 yards out, but the young goalkeeper pushed it away to keep Atlanta within striking distance.
New York, however, doubled its lead in the 77th minute. Following a turnover in the midfield, NYCFC II broke towards goal as Jonathan Jimenez dribbled at the end line before sending a cross in front of goal. Reyes got a touch to it, but it skipped through to Jasson who was able to turn it in for a 2-0 lead.
ATL UTD 2 earned a free kick just outside of the penalty area in the 84th minute where Raimar attempted to sneak it in at the near post with a low driven shot, but New York's goalkeeper Matt Freese was positioned well and easily collected the ball.
Atlanta United 2 returns to action next Sunday, April 16 when it hosts Orlando City B at Fifth Third Bank Stadium (7:30 p.m., 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
Shots: 15-7 New York
Shots on target: 7-3 New York
Corner kicks: 6-3 New York
Fouls Committed: 17-16 New York
xG: 1.48 - 0.47 New York
Possession: 61-39 New York
Passing accuracy: 88-82 New York
Scoring
NYC II - Justin Haak (Andres Jasson) 8'
NYC II - Andres Jasson 77'
Disciplinary
NYC II - Justin Haak 24' 🟨
Notes
- Vicente Reyes recorded an individual season-high five saves (Clement Diop holds the team record this season with six )
- Machop Chol made his first appearance for ATL TUD 2 this season
ATLANTA UNITED 2 STARTING XI
GK: Vicente Reyes
D: Aiden McFadden, Noah Cobb, Fuad Adeniyi, Tyler Young,
M: Nick Firmino, Kofi Twumasi (C) (Toni Tiente - 62'), Luke Brennan (Erik Centeno - 62'), Tyler Wolff (Raimar - 77'), Machop Chol (Jonantan Villal - HT)
F: Erik López
Substitutes not used:
Sebastian Guerra, Efrain Morales, Nelson Orji, David Mejia
NEW YORK CITY FC II STARTING XI
GK: Matt Freese
D: Stevo Bednarski (Christian McFarlane - 67'), Samuel Owusu, Klevis Haxhari (John Denis - HT), Stephen Turnbull
M: Justin Haak, Nicholas Benalcazar (c), Jack Beer
F: Jonathan Jimenez, Matthew Meyrs, Andres Jasson
Substitutes not used:
Alexander Yagudayev, Piero Elias, Ronald Arevalo, Brian Flores, Francesco Di Ponzio, Rio Hope-Gund, Massimo Murania Yankowitz
OFFICIALS
Shawn Tehini (referee), Andrew Charron (assistant), Robert Cordrey (assistant), Ernie Constantine (fourth).
