Atlanta United 2 falls 1-0 in 2022 home opener

Atlanta United 2 dropped a hard-fought home opener 1-0 to New York Red Bulls II at Fifth Third Bank Stadium on Wednesday night. Academy midfielder Pavel Romero made his professional debut, while goalkeeper Justin Garces made his first professional appearance since 2018 for ATL UTD 2. 

New York had the first good chance of the match when Steven Sserwadda received the ball at the top of the box in the 17th minute. He played in John Murphy on the left side and the midfielder struck a low drive off the inside of the left post. Two minutes later, Atlanta was reduced to 10 men when Aiden McFadden was given a straight red card for a hard sliding challenge.

In his season debut, Garces was called upon for the first time in the 26th minute. Ezra Widman was played in on goal and hit a low shot across the face of goal, but Garces made the kick save. One minute later, the keeper made an outstanding double save from close range on Murphy inside the six-yard box. Both teams went into the halftime break scoreless.

Garces continued his stellar performance with another quality save in the 57th minute after Jonathan Filipe dribbled past two defenders at the top of the box and smashed a shot down the center of the goal. Garces would finish the match with a career-high seven saves. In the 66th minute, New York made the breakthrough when Murphy picked off a pass near Atlanta’s box and passed to an open Jordan Adebayo-Smith who finished from 10 yards out. 

In the 73rd minute, Sserwadda picked up his second yellow of the match to make it a 10-vs-10 match down the stretch. On the ensuing free kick, David Mejia sent the ball narrowly over the crossbar. ATL UTD 2 continued to push for the equalizer but was unable to find the back of the net. 

ATL UTD 2 (0-2-0, 0 points) returns to action next Wednesday, March 23 against Tampa Bay Rowdies at Fifth Third Bank Stadium (ESPN+, 7:30 p.m. ET).

MATCH INFO 

Atlanta 0, New York Red Bulls II 1

Fifth Third Bank Stadium

Kennesaw, Georgia

STATS

Shots: 23-3 New York

Shots on Target: 8-0 New York

Corner kicks: 6-1 New York

Fouls committed: 18-15 New York

Offside: 2-1 New York

Possession: 50-50

Passing Accuracy: 81-73 New York 

SCORING SUMMARY

NYRB – Jordan Adebayo-Smith 66’ (John Murphy) 

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY

NYRB – Juan Castillo 11’ (yellow)

ATL – Aiden McFadden 19’ (red)

NYRB – Steven Sserwadda 65’ (yellow)

NYRB – Christopher Cragwell 72’ (yellow)

NYRB – Steven Sserwadda 73’ (second yellow/red) 

ATL UTD 2 STARTING LINEUP

Justin Garces; Grant Howard (Jonantan Villal – 79’), Aiden McFadden, Noah Cobb, Mathieu Brick; Robbie Mertz ©, Nicolas Firmino (Pavel Romero – 90’), Efrain Morales, Robbie Mertz; Luke Brennan (Brendan Lambe - 67’), David Mejia, Jackson Conway (Erik Centeno – 67’).

Substitutes not used: Vicente Reyes, Ajani Fortune.

NEW YORK RED BULLS II STARTING LINEUP

AJ Marcucci; O’vonte Mullings, Lamine Conte, Juan Castillo (Christopher Cragwell – 25’), Curtis Ofori (JC Cortez – 80’); Sam Williams, John Murphy © (Arian Recinos – 80’), Steven Sserwadda, Ezra Widman (Jonathan Filipe – 46’), Jason Pendant (Illia Tyrkus – 61’); Jordan Adebayo-Smith. 

Substitutes not used: Derrek Chan, Paul Smajlaj.

OFFICIALS

Sergii Demianchuk (referee), Zach McWhorter (assistant), Art Arustamyan (assistant), Kyle Johnston (fourth official)

TEAM NOTES

• 16-year old Academy midfielder Pavel Romero made his professional debut
• Goalkeeper Justin Garces made a career-high seven saves in his first professional appearance since 2018
• Defender Grant Howard earned his first professional start