Atlanta United 2 lost 1-0 versus Sporting KC II Saturday night at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. Jonantan Villal made his debut for ATL UTD 2, while Alexander Garuba earned his first start of the season.
After a tough battle between the two clubs in the first half hour, SKC II scored the game’s lone goal in the 38th minute. Enoch Mushagalusa received the ball outside the 18-yard box from a corner kick on the left side. The forward then turned and dribbled inside the box before firing a shot that took a deflection on its way into goal.
ATL UTD 2 began the second half by dominating possession. After a long spout of possession in the 78th minute, the ball found its way to Aiden McFadden in the right flank, where he served a lobbed ball into the six-yard box. Danial Sebhatu rose up and headed the ball on frame, but Kendall McIntosh denied him to keep it a one-goal game.
Atlanta continued to push on in search of an equalizer. In stoppage time, Connor Stanley drove across the top of the box and found Darwin Matheus near the right corner of the box. The forward fired a low bending ball to the left corner of the goal, but the keeper made the save.
ATL UTD 2 (3-5-5, 14 points) will return to action against Louisville City FC on July 17 at Lynn Family Stadium (ESPN+, 7:30 p.m. ET).
MATCH RESOURCES
- Post-match interviews with Jack Collison, Bryce Washington and Ajani Fortune
- Match Photos
- Post-Match Stats
- Post-match quote sheet
MATCH INFO
Atlanta 0, Kansas City 1
Fifth Third Bank Stadium
Kennesaw, GA
STATS
Shots: 13-7 Atlanta
Shots on Target: 2-2
Corner kicks: 4-3 Atlanta
Fouls committed: 13-11 Atlanta
Offside: 6-2 Kansas City
Possession: 62-38 Atlanta
Passing Accuracy: 84-74 Atlanta
SCORING SUMMARY
SKC - Enoch Mushagalusa
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
ATL – Robbie Mertz 21’
ATL – Bradley Kamdem Fewo 23’
SKC – Johan Rad 77’
SKC – Kayden Pierre 89’
ATL UTD 2 STARTING LINEUP
Ben Lundgaard; Bryce Washington, Bradley Kamdem Fewo ©, Josh Bauer, Aiden McFadden; Chris Allan (Jonantan Villal – 72’), Robbie Mertz (Darwin Matheus – 88’), Ajani Fortune; Alexander Garuba (Danial Sebhatu – 56’), MatÃas BenÃtez, Connor Stanley
Substitutes not used: Rocco RÃos Novo, Amadou Macy Diop, Yohan Chirinos
SKC II STARTING LINEUP
Kendall McIntosh; Kayden Pierre, Daniel Barbir, Amadou Dia, Jahon Rad (Jacob Davis – 77’); Christian Duke ©, Rojay Smith, Cameron Duke (Graham Smith -85’), Kaveh Rad; Wilson Harris (Isaiah LeFlore – 79’), Enoch Mushagalusa (Jamil Roberts – 67’)
Substitutes not used: Matthew Constant, Brooks Thompson, Graham Smith, Grayson Barber
OFFICIALS
Izlen Peksenar, (referee), Justen Lopez, (assistant), Christopher Kloc, (assistant), Madzid Coric, (fourth official)
TEAM NOTES
- Alexander Garuba made his first start of the season Saturday night.
- Jonantan Villal made his debut for ATL UTD 2.
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.
