Atlanta United 2 handed Chattanooga FC its first loss of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season in a 1-0 victory at Fifth Third Stadium on Wednesday night. Atlanta United goalkeeper Josh Cohen made his Atlanta United 2 debut, his first competitive appearance for the club.
Atlanta United 2 was the first to strike in the contest, earning a penalty kick in the 20th minute following a handball. Javier Armas stepped up to the spot and slotted his attempt to the right side of the goal while Chattanooga's keeper dove to the left. Armas' penalty marked the third set piece goal of the season for the Spaniard.
In the 35th minute, midfielder Matías Gallardo floated in a corner kick that met Nick Firmino in the center of the box for a dangerous header, but his attempt was blocked away.
Gallardo found a chance of his own, finding himself on the other side of a cross sent in by Luke Brennan before ripping a powerful left-footed volley at the back post that narrowly curved away from goal.
Atlanta held Chattanooga to zero shot attempts in the first half, outshooting the visitors 8-0.
ATL UTD 2 came out of the halftime break on the front foot, as captain Matt Edwards slipped a pass beyond the Chattanooga defense for Karim Tmimi in the 50th minute, but was forced to take his attempt at a difficult angle and was ultimately scooped up by the keeper.
Chattanooga did not test Cohen until the 59th minute when the Atlanta keeper got in front of a strong shot taken outside from the box.
Cohen came up big in the 93rd minute, making an incredible diving save to secure the clean sheet and victory for ATL UTD 2.
Atlanta United 2 (2-3-0, 6 points) hits the road for the first time this season on Sunday, April 28 when it travels to face off against Chicago Fire FC II (2:00 p.m. ET, Apple TV). 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:
- ATL UTD 2 gave Chattanooga FC their first loss of the MLS NEXT Pro season.
- ATL UTD 2 kept its second clean sheet of the season.
- ATL UTD 2 held Chattanooga FC to zero shots in the first half.
- Josh Cohen made his debut for Atlanta United 2, marking his first competitive appearance for the club.
- Ashton Gordon made his professional debut as a second half substitute.
- Ramzi Qawasmy made his first start of the season.
- Javier Armas leads ATL UTD 2 in goals with three. All three of Armas' goals have come from set pieces.
Stats:
Shots: 13-6 Atlanta
Shots on target: 3-2 Atlanta
Corner kicks: 4-2 Atlanta
Fouls Committed: 15-15
Passing accuracy: 86.7% - 79.5% Chattanooga
Scoring:
ATL – Javier Armas (Penalty) 20'
Disciplinary:
CFC – Anatolie Prepelita 🟨 7'
ATL – Matías Gallardo 🟨 31'
CFC – Carlos Rivas Murillo 🟨 45'
CFC – Andres Jimenez 🟨 58'
ATL – Adyn Torres 🟨 76'
