Atlanta United 2 lost 2-0 to Nashville SC Wednesday night at Coolray Field. ATL UTD 2 put more shots on frame and dominated possession, but a goal in each half from Nashville handed the visitors the season sweep.
Ropapa Mensah put Nashville on the board in the seventh minute. Ismaila Jome took a shot from the right side of the box which goalkeeper Paul Christensen saved with a diving effort to his right, but Mensah was unmarked at the back post to tap-in the go-ahead goal.
Less than five minutes later, Atlanta nearly leveled the score from an Andrew Carleton free kick. Standing just outside of the penalty area on the right side, the 18-year-old Homegrown tried to curl one in the near post, but Matt Pickens was able to deny it with a diving save.
ATL UTD 2 continued to be the aggressor in the second half and produced perhaps its best chance of the night in the 48th minute. Chris Goslin played Williams down the left side of the box where the Jamaican forward ripped a shot from a tight angle, but saw his attempt skip just wide of the far post.
Williams nearly scored again four minutes later after Carleton coolly collected a long ball from Christensen, turned and sent in a pin-point through ball for the striker on the right side of the box. However, Williams’ low shot missed inches wide of the left post.
Nashville doubled its lead in the 64th minute. Mensah snuck behind the ATL UTD 2 defense and found himself in a one-on-one opportunity with Christensen. The Atlanta goalkeeper again came up with a huge diving save to his left, but the rebound was put away by Tucker Hume into the bottom left corner.
ATL UTD 2 (5-16-8, 23 points) returns to action Saturday, Sept. 29 against Louisville City FC at 7:00 p.m. EST at Coolray Field. The match will be streamed live on ESPN+.
