Atlanta United 2 picked up a point in a 2-2 draw against Columbus Crew 2 at Historic Crew Stadium Thursday night. Columbus prevailed in the penalty shootout to earn the extra point. Nick Firmino and Jackson Conway each scored, while Luke Brennan added two assists. ATL UTD 2 goalkeeper Justin Garces made his first appearance of the season after recovering from an ACL injury he suffered last year.
Columbus took an early lead in the ninth minute when Thomas Roberts found Gibran Rayo making a run behind Atlanta's backline and chipped a pass through two defenders. Garces came off his line to clear the danger, but Rayo beat him to the ball and calmly shot into the open goal.
In the 16th minute, Firmino missed the equalizer when Brennan stole possession away inside Columbus’ 18-yard box and cut back a pass to Firmino in front of goal, but the Brazilian barely missed his attempt just outside the left post. Three minutes later, Firmino got another attempt at goal when Brennan sent in a looping cross from the right wing, but the midfielder was unsuccessful on his bicycle kick attempt.
Columbus was awarded a penalty in the 30th minute after Efraín Morales brought down Rayo making a run deep into Atlanta's box. Rayo stepped to the spot looking for his second goal of the night, but Garces dove correctly to make the stop.
ATL UTD 2 leveled the match in the 58th minute. The play began with Brennan receiving the ball on the right sideline before finding Firmino in space above the arc. The team-leading goal scorer took a couple dribbles before spinning to fire a right footed strike from distance into the top right corner. It was Firmino's eighth goal of the season.
Atlanta took the lead in the 76th minute after Brennan regained possession and quickly curled a cross that ricocheted off a defender’s back, and fell right to Conway for the volley into the bottom left corner to secure his first goal for ATL UTD 2 this season. It was Brennan's second assist on the night and third of the season.
In the third minute of stoppage time, Columbus found the equalizer to send the game to a shootout. The play began after a series of attempts pressuring Atlanta's goal. Finally, Brent Adu-Gyamfi leveled the match when Noah Fuson cut back to Adu-Gyamfi inside the box for the one touch finish.
In the shootout, Columbus defeated Atlanta 6-5.
ATL UTD 2 returns to action on Sunday, June 18 when it travels to Toronto FC II at York Lions Stadium (7:00 p.m., MLSNEXTPro.com). Some ATL UTD 2 matches are available with an MLS Season Passsubscription, located on the Apple TV app while the remainder of matches are streamed live on MLSNEXTPro.com.
Match Summary
Stats
Shots: 12-10 Columbus
Shots on target: 7-4 Columbus
Corner kicks: 14-2 Columbus
Fouls Committed: 11-9 Atlanta
xG: 2.65 - .88 Columbus
Possession: 63-37 Columbus
Passing accuracy: 89-89 Atlanta
Scoring
CLB - Gibran Rayo (Roberts) 9'
ATL - Nick Firmino (Brennan) 58'
ATL - Jackson Conway (Brennan) 76'
CLB - Brent Adu-Gyamfi (Fuson) 90'+3'
Disciplinary
ATL - Efraín Morales 30' 🟨
ATL - Remi Okunlola 49' 🟨
ATL - Adyn Torres 86' 🟨
Notes
- Justin Garces returned for his first start of the season after recovering from an ACL injury suffered last season and recorded five saves
- Luke Brennan registered two assists
- Nick Firmino scored his eighth goal of the season
- Jackson Conway scored his first goal of the season
