Romario Williams netted each of Atlanta United 2’s goals in the team’s 2-1 win over Charleston Battery Sunday afternoon at Coolray Field. Homegrown Andrew Carleton assisted both goals in the come-from-behind victory.
After Charleston’s leading-scorer Ataulla Guerra tallied his 15th of the season in the 27th minute, Williams and Carleton linked up twice to lead a second-half comeback.
ATL UTD 2 wasted no time finding the equalizer and scored in the 48th minute off a corner. The 18-year-old Carleton sent a ball in the center of the box where Williams scored with a glancing header to the far post.
Less than 20 minutes later, Williams and Carleton connected again for what would be the game-winning goal in the 65th minute. Carleton out-muscled Tah Anunga at the midfield stripe and suddenly found himself completely alone. The Homegrown spotted the run of Williams and delivered a pin-point through ball into the 18-yard-box where the Jamaican striker took one touch around goalkeeper Joe Kuzminsky and calmly passed the ball into an empty net with his left foot.
Charleston pushed to level the score and took 11 of its 16 shots in the second half, but it never broke through Atlanta’s backline. One of the Battery’s best chances came minutes after ATL UTD 2’s second goal with a free kick in the 69th minute. Guerra struck the ball from the edge of the penalty area, but Alec Kann punched the ball to safety. Kann, who made his sixth start this season, recorded one save, as Charleston only managed two shots on goal.
ATL UTD 2 (6-17-9, 27 points) returns to action Wednesday, Oct. 10 against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at 7:00 p.m. EST at Coolray Field. The match will be streamed live on ESPN+.
