Atlanta United 2 tied Charleston Battery 1-1 Saturday night at MUSC Health Stadium. Laurent Kissiedou scored his first goal of the season to earn ATL UTD 2 the draw and extend the team’s unbeaten streak to three matches.
ATL UTD 2 came out fast and produced a pair of chances inside of the first two minutes to nearly grab the lead through Bienvenue Kanakimana, who made his first start for the team. In the first minute, Luiz Fernando sent in a cross to Kanakimana in the middle of the box that flew inches over the Burundi striker’s header attempt. Less than a minute later, Gordon Wild forced a turnover just outside of box and took a shot from the left side that goalkeeper Joe Kuzminsky parried to his left. Kanakimana rushed to the rebound, but the ball was cleared just before he could get his shot off.
Charleston responded with several chances of its own, but goalkeeper Brendan Moore made a series of one-on-one saves to keep ATL UTD 2 in the match and finished with a season-high seven saves. Atlanta’s attack created several chances midway through the second half, beginning with substitute Will Vint. The 17-year-old Academy midfielder checked in at half time for Kevin Kratz, who made his first appearance with ATL UTD 2 this season, and put a header on target in the 57th minute. Three minutes later Fernando fired a close-range shot from the left side that rattled off the post, and Yosef Samuel had a free header in the box creep just over the crossbar in the 64th minute.
Atlanta finally broke through in the 71st minute. Fernando received a pass on the left side of the field, dribbled past a defender to enter the 18-yard box and cut the ball back into the middle of the box for Kissiedou. With his back to goal, the Ivorian took a touch with his left before turning and firing a right-footed shot into the net. It was Kissiedou’s first goal of the season and Fernando’s first assist.
Charleston, however, tied the match in the 79th minute. Zeiko Lewis took an in-swinging corner from the right side that snuck in the top-right corner to equalize.
ATL UTD 2 (3-5-4, 13 points) returns to action Friday, June 7 against New York Red Bulls II at 7:30 p.m. EST at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. The match will be streamed live on ESPN+.
