Atlanta United 2 wraps up its three-match stretch with a Sunday duel with New York Red Bulls II on July 7. Originally slated for 5:00 p.m. ET, the match is now scheduled to kick off at 7:00 p.m. ET at MSU Soccer Park and will be streamed on MLSNEXTPro.com. Fans can also tune in to the Soccer Down Here audio stream.
Welcome Cooper!
On Tuesday, July 2, Atlanta United 2 signed Academy standout Cooper Sanchez to an MLS NEXT Pro contract through 2025, before becoming an Atlanta United Homegrown player on Jan. 1, 2026. The former Academy standout became the youngest player in club history to appear for ATL UTD 2 (15 years, 27 days) when he checked in as a substitute in a 2-0 victory over Chicago Fire II. Sanchez, 16, joined Atlanta United’s Academy in 2018 and played with the U-16s last season. The midfielder was a part of the 2023 U-16 side that went 22-1-1 in the Regular Season and took home the MLS NEXT Cup, where he scored in a 3-1 victory over Strikers FC in the title match. Sanchez made two professional appearances with Atlanta United 2, having been a substitute twice last season and appeared in Atlanta United’s 2024 preseason match against Birmingham Legion FC.
Scouting Report
New York Red Bulls II enters the match in 7th place in the Eastern Conference, holding a 6-7-3 record with 23 points. Fans could be in for a shootout on Sunday, as New York ranks third in scoring in the East this season, having bagged 29 goals through 16 matches, though it also ranks first in goals conceded in the East with 35 goals allowed. Atlanta will need to stay composed as a squad and not let its confidence get rattled if one or two find their way in the back of the net, as a comeback can never be ruled out. New York’s leading scorer this year is Roald Mitchell, who scored eight goals through five matches but will miss the rest of the season due to injury. Midfielder Ibrahim Kasule has since taken over as the primary goalscoring threat, having tallied five goals and three assists, while Mohammed Sofo leads New York’s squad with six assists.
Previous Meeting
Atlanta United 2 holds a 0-1-1 (W-L-D) record against New York Red Bulls II. The last meeting between the two squads ended in a 4-2 loss at MSU Soccer Park on Aug. 21, 2023. Luke Brennan and Nick Firmino each scored in the match.
