Atlanta United 2 played to a 2-2 draw with Memphis 901 FC Sunday afternoon at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. Aiden McFadden netted two goals for the second straight match, while Robbie Mertz made his ATL UTD 2 debut.
ATL UTD 2 controlled the tempo from the outset of the blistering midday match. In the 18th minute, Michael Salazar gained possession near Atlanta’s 18-yard box and found an open Dre Fortune near the penalty spot, where he tried to slot it past Alec Kann but the keeper made a crucial kick save to keep the match scoreless.
McFadden put Atlanta on the scoreboard first in the 28th minute. MatÃas BenÃtez won a free kick about 25 yards out from goal. The Pennsylvania native stepped up and ripped a right-footed shot to the top left corner that went through the gloves of John Berner and into the back of the net.
Memphis evened the score in the 45th minute. Fortune found Mark Segbers on the right flank, where he crossed the ball to Kadeem Dacres near the top of the six-yard box for the one-time finish.
In the 69th minute, Dacres chipped Kann from a very tight angle at the near post, but Jack Gurr had his keeper’s back and was on the line to head the ball away from goal to keep the score even. However, Memphis continued to push forward and found its second goal in the 73rdminute, when the right winger drove into the final third and found Laurent Kissiedou, who slipped it past Kann.
Despite being down a man after the 87th minute, Atlanta continued to push numbers forward in search of the equalizer. Then in the third minute of stoppage time, Memphis’ goalkeeper parried away a cross directly to McFadden near the penalty spot, where he hammered home a right-footed volley to even the score at two.
ATL UTD 2 (2-1-2, 8 points) will return to action against Birmingham Legion FC, May 30 at Fifth Third Bank Stadium (ESPN+, 3:30 p.m. ET).
MATCH INFO
Atlanta 2, Memphis 2
Fifth Third Bank Stadium
Kennesaw, GA
STATS
Shots: 15-12 Atlanta
Shots on Target: 6-5 Atlanta
Corner kicks: 8-3 Atlanta
Fouls committed: 14-13 Memphis
Offside: 2-1 Atlanta
Possession: 65-35 Atlanta
Passing Accuracy: 87-75 Atlanta
SCORING SUMMARY
ATL – Aiden McFadden 28’
MEM – Kadeem Dacres (Mark Segbers) 45’
MEM – Laurent Kissiedou (Kadeem Dacres) 73’
ATL –Aiden McFadden 90+3’
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
MEM – Francis Atuahene (yellow) 38’
ATL – Efrain Morales (yellow) 42’
ATL – MatÃas BenÃtez (yellow) 54’
ATL – Jack Gurr (red) 84’
ATL UTD 2 STARTING LINEUP
Alec Kann; Bradley Kamdem Fewo ©, Josh Bauer, Caleb Wiley (Coleman Gannon – 62’), Jack Gurr; Chris Allan, Will Reilly (Darwin Matheus – 62’), Efrain Morales (Robbie Mertz – 45’); Aiden McFadden, Connor Stanley (David Mejia – 74’), MatÃas BenÃtez.
Substitutes not used: Noah Cobb, Alex Garuba, Rocco RÃos Novo
MEMPHIS 901 FC STARTING LINEUP
John Berner; Andre Reynolds, Skylar Thomas, Zach Carroll, Mark Segbers; Francis Atuahene (Mitch Guitar – 62’), Laurent Kissiedou (Raul Gonzalez – 82), Dominic Oduro, Kadeem Dacres; Michael Salazar (Kyle Murphy – 62’), Dre Fortune
Substitutes not used: Leston Paul, Tycho Collins, Brady Scott, Brecc Evans
OFFICIALS
Joshua Encanacion (referee), Austin Holt, (assistant), Zachary McWhorter, (assistant), Madzid Coric (fourth).
TEAM NOTES
- Aiden McFadden recorded two goals for the second straight game
- Robbie Mertz made his club debut
- Alec Kann, David Mejia and Jack Gurr all made their first appearances for this season
ABOUT ATL UTD 2
ATL UTD 2 is owned and operated by AMB Sports & Entertainment and is the United Soccer League (USL) affiliate of Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United. ATL UTD 2 joined USL for its expansion 2018 season and plays its home matches at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, Georgia.
