Atlanta United 2 fell to Columbus Crew 2 2-0 Friday night at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground as Atlanta United players Ajani Fortune, Aiden McFadden and Noah Cobb started for ATL UTD 2.
Following an hour and a half-long lightning delay, Atlanta nearly grabbed the lead in the 11th minute through a counter attack from Luke Brennan. The homegrown winger was played on a long ball through the right sideline before switching it to Erik Centeno across the field. Centeno took one touch before crossing it to Nick Firmino for a header that sailed just above the crossbar.
In the 41st minute, Justin Garces was forced to make a diving save after a direct free kick taken by Noah Fuson just outside the box threatened Atlanta's goal. Garces dove right to make the save, but the ball dangerously bounced inside the box before Giorgio De Libera attempted to knock in the rebound that fell directly to Garces.
Columbus opened the scoring quickly to start the second half. A give and go pass from Fuson in the final third left Taha Habroune in front of goal with only Garces to beat. Habroune calmly tapped in the goal into the bottom left corner for the 1-0 lead. In the 60th minute, Columbus added to its lead through Coleman Gannon. The play began with Stuart Ritchie down the left wing before cutting back a pass through the 18-yard-box to Gannon who one timed his goal with his left boot into the bottom left corner.
ATL UTD 2 returns to action Thursday, August 3 at SeatGeek Stadium to take on Chicago Fire II (7:00 p.m. ET, 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
Shots: 16-8 Columbus
Shots on target: 8-2 Columbus
Corner kicks: 6-2 Columbus
Fouls Committed: 13-12 Atlanta
xG: .79 - .53 Columbus
Possession: 50-50
Passing accuracy: 89-88 Atlanta
Scoring
CLB - Taha Habroune (Fuson) 50'
CLB - Coleman Gannon (Ritchie) 60'
Disciplinary
ATL - Efraín Morales 🟨 19'
ATL - Erik Centeno 🟨 32'
CLB - Christopher Rodgers 🟨 68'
ATL - Toni Tiente 🟨 74'
ATL - Adyn Torres 🟨 82'
Notes
- Matthew Dejianne made his third appearance of the season.
- Adyn Torres started in his second game this season at 15 years old.
