Atlanta United 2 concludes its three-match road trip on Friday night when it travels to Icahn Stadium to face NYCFC II on Sept. 6. The match is slated to kick off at 5:00 p.m. ET and will be streamed on MLSNEXTPro.com. Fans can also tune in to the Soccer Down Here audio stream.
Scouting Report
NYCFC II enters the match sitting in fourth place in the MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference standings with 40 points (10-5-7 record). Atlanta’s defense will certainly be challenged this weekend, as NYCFC II holds a +15 goal differential, second best in all of MLS NEXT Pro, with Taylor Calheira leading the squad with 13 goals. Additionally, Atlanta will need to keep an eye out for some possible new faces with New York City FC on break due to the international window, which could see some opposing First Team players drop down for the match.
Last Time Out
ATL UTD 2 is coming off a thrilling 4-3 road victory over independent club Chattanooga FC on Sept. 1. Atlanta found the back of the net in the 12th minute when Javier Armas forced a turnover outside Chattanooga’s 18-yard box before slipping a pass to Alan Carleton for a smooth finish. Chattanooga then pulled two goals back before the halftime whistle. ATL UTD 2 earned a penalty just three minutes after the break, with Armas stepping up and sending his attempt to the far right of goal while the keeper dove left. Chattanooga took the lead yet again in the 63rd on a counterattack opportunity. Seventeen-year-old Ashton Gordon put Atlanta back in front in the 87th after Carleton slotted a pinpoint pass into the box for Gordon to turn with and finish with his left foot. Stoppage time saw a scuffle break out between the two sides, with Chattanooga getting shown three red cards. As soon as play began again, Ronald Hernández carried the ball up the pitch before whipping in a cross to Karim Tmimi, who worked his way across the box to get off a shot on goal, putting Atlanta up 4-3 in the 99th minute.
Previous Meeting
Atlanta United 2 holds a 1-1-1 (W-L-D) all-time record against NYCFC II. The last matchup between the two sides ended in a 0-0 draw at Fifth Third Stadium on May 3, with Atlanta walking away with an extra point after winning the shootout 4-2. Atlanta United’s Josh Cohen made five saves in regulation and two saves in the penalty shootout.
