ATLANTA (June 6, 2023) – Atlanta United 2 midfielder Nick Firmino was voted the MLS NEXT Pro Player of the Matchday for Matchday 11 of the 2023 season. Firmino scored a brace and added an assist in Atlanta’s 5-0 victory over Inter Miami CF II on Sunday, June 4, putting him tied for second in the league with seven goals scored while leading the team in assists with three on the season.
With an early 1-0 lead over Miami, the Brazil-native quickly added to Atlanta’s lead with two goals in a span of two minutes. His sixth goal of the year came in the 68th minute when Firmino played Toni Tiente for a give-and-go in the 18-yard box. Tiente’s pass back to Firmino left him open to fire a shot past Miami’s keeper and into the roof of the net.
Two minutes later, an Atlanta counterattack gave Firmino his second goal of the night and seventh on the year. Firmino received the ball in the final third and raced to the box before firing his shot low towards the near post, leaving Owen Finnerty with no chance at making a save to give Atlanta the 3-0 lead.
Firmino’s assist came in the 79th minute off a goal by David Mejía. Rocket Ritarita began the play sprinting down the right sideline before cutting it back to Firmino inside the box. Firmino took two touches before dumping it off to Mejía making a deep run into Miami’s territory for the one-time shot into the lower right corner to go up 4-0.
ATL UTD 2 (5-4-3, 19 points) will return to action against Philadelphia Union II, June 9 at Subaru Park. (Apple TV – MLS NEXT Pro)
