Atlanta United 2 played to a 1-1 draw with Bethlehem Steel FC Sunday night at Talen Energy Stadium. Laurence Wyke scored his first professional goal while team captain Jack Metcalf registered his first assist of the year.
Atlanta opened the scoring in the 11th minute from a corner kick. Metcalf delivered an in-swinging ball to the near post where Wyke headed it across the goal into the top-right corner.
ATL UTD 2 nearly doubled its lead when Yosef Samuel drew a penalty in the 55th minute. Samuel stepped to the penalty spot in the 57th minute, however his shot struck the left post, bounced off Bethlehem goalkeeper Tomás Romero’s back and was ultimately cleared away by a Steel FC defender.
Bethlehem equalized in the 64th minute through Jamoi Topey. After winning a free kick on the right side, Matt Real delivered a ball to the back post where Topey finished with the outside of his right foot.
Atlanta produced a number of close chances to net the game-winning goal. Laurent Kissiedou had a header miss just over the crossbar in the 67th minute, while Romero came up with a diving save to deny Alessandro Castro’s shot from the edge of the penalty area in the 77th minute. Luiz Fernando was played in on goal by Castro in the 88th minute, but Romero rushed out and tipped the Brazilian’s shot away from danger to preserve the draw.
ATL UTD 2 (3-5-2, 11 points) returns to action Sunday, May 19 against Swope Park Rangers at 5:00 p.m. EST at Children’s Mercy Park. The match will be streamed live on ESPN+.
