Atlanta United 2 held off a second half comeback against New England Revolution II in a 3-2 victory on Saturday night at Fifth Third Stadium. Academy product Alan Carleton scored his first and second professional goals in a first half brace while Karim Tmimi bagged his seventh goal of the year.
The first 45 minutes was full of scoring for ATL UTD 2. The opening goal began with Canadian international Noble Okello at the center circle lofting a cross down the right wing to Erik Centeno who took a touch down the line before centering the ball just outside the six-yard box. Centeno's cross was met by a diving Tmimi who headed the ball to the bottom left corner of the net.
In the 36th minute, Okello left the ball for Carleton at midfield before bringing it just outside the left side of the penalty box, cutting the ball back and towards the middle of the pitch, ripping a powerful right-footed strike that curled past the reach of New England's keeper and ricocheted into the goal.
Just two minutes later Carleton would claim his second of the evening. After winning a challenge in his own defensive half, forward Rodrigo Neri led a counterattack by sprinting down the right side of the field and dragging defenders his way, leaving Carleton open in the box for a calm right-footed finish.
The Revolution opened the scoring in the second half quickly, claiming a goal three minutes out of the break. Forward Alex Monis whipped in a cross from the right flank which met Liam Butts for a right-footed shot that found its way in the bottom left of goal.
Immediately after, Javier Armas challenged a New England attacker in his box, going shoulder-to-shoulder to muscle his attacker away from the ball, but the official called for a penalty kick. Monis stepped up to pull the visitors within one, but Atlanta keeper Jayden Hibbert read his shot and dove left to keep Monis from scoring.
New England claimed its second goal in the 69th minute after Monis took a shot from 20-yards out, taking a bounce before slipping past Hibbert to bring the match within one goal.
Atlanta had to stave off a flurry of New England attacks while looking to ice the game. In the 79th minute, Academy forward Stephen Hurlock found himself on a breakaway, getting a pass across the box for Matías Gallardo for a one-time strike but his attempt was kicked away before it could cross the goal line. Two minutes later, the visitors created an opportunity after a string of passes from the midfield ended in an unmarked attacker recieving the ball in the center of the box, but his shot was blocked by Centeno on the goal line.
Atlanta United 2 (5-9-4, 21 points) continues play at home when it takes on Toronto FC II on Sunday, Aug. 11 (7:30 p.m. ET, MLSNEXTPro.com, 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.
Notes:
- Midfielder Javier Armas is the only ATL UTD 2 player to appear in all 1,620 minutes this season.
- Alan Carleton netted his first career brace, marking his first and professional goals.
- Erik Centeno notched his fourth assist of 2024. He also led all players in crosses with eight.
- Jayden Hibbert made seven saves in goal.
- Rodrigo Neri registered his first professional assist.
- Noble Okello recorded his second assist of the season.
- Defender Ramzi Qawasmy led all players in successful passes with 51.
- 16-year-old midfielder Cooper Sanchez made his first career start.
- Karim Tmimi scored his seventh goal of the season. He leads ATL UTD 2 in scoring this year.
Match Summary
Stats:
Shots: 27-12 New England
Shots on target: 10-7 New England
Corner kicks: 5-0 New England
Fouls Committed: 12-10 Atlanta
Passing accuracy: 89.3% - 79.9% Atlanta
Scoring:
ATL – Karim Tmimi (Centeno) 13'
ATL – Alan Carleton (Okello) 36'
ATL – Alan Carleton (Neri) 38'
NE – Liam Butts (Monis) 48'
NE – Alex Monis (Dias) 69'
Disciplinary:
ATL – Erik Centeno 🟨 21'
