Atlanta United 2 tied 2-2 against Charlotte Independence Wednesday night at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. Bienvenue Kanakimana scored both goals for ATL UTD 2 while 17-year-old defender Jordan Matthews made his professional debut.
Despite a promising start from ATL TUD 2’s attack, Charlotte found the back of the net first in the 27th minute on a breakaway. From the right side of the penalty area, Alex Martinez found Jorge Herrera near the top of the box where he curled a shot into the right side of the goal.
Atlanta, however, leveled the match six minutes later through Kanakimana. Center back George Campbell played a long ball to Jackson Conway where he settled the ball and laid it off to Kanakimana who was making a run down the right side. The Burundi native took a touch and raced past the Independence’s backline where he dribbled into the box and slotted a shot in the bottom right corner for his first goal with the club. Conway was credited with his first professional assist.
ATL UTD 2 took the lead 10 minutes later. Conway found Kanakimana on the right wing where he cut back into the center of the field and dribbled into the box. The 19-year-old attempted to find Conway, but the ball took a deflection and fell back to Kanakimana where he one-timed a shot into the bottom right corner for his second of the night.
Charlotte later tied the match in the 72nd minute. Abdoulie Mansally delivered a free kick into the center of the box where Aaron Maund tapped in the equalizing goal.
ATL UTD 2 (3-11-5, 14 points) returns to action Saturday, July 27 against North Carolina FC at 7:00 p.m. EST at WakeMed Soccer Park. The match will be streamed live on ESPN+.
