KENNESAW, Ga. (March 30, 2025) - Atlanta United 2 hosted rival Chattanooga FC in a rainy affair, drawing 2-2 with the visitors taking the extra point in the penalty shootout in the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Regular Season. Rodrigo Neri and Cayman Togashi twice combined for both of the 5-Stripes' goals.
The opening 10 minutes were box-to-box between the sides, but Chattanooga were able to create chances with balls in behind the Atlanta defense. Chattanooga winger Callum Watson played a ball to Milo Garvanian who tried his luck one-on-one, but goalkeeper Josh Cohen was able to make the save in the 10th minute.
Four minutes later, Atlanta returned with a chance of their own. Moises Tablante dribbled past one defender and crossed from the left side to meet Luke Brennan on the back post, who's shot was saved off the line and deflected out for a goal kick.
Atlanta gained some momentum with a string of chances, their best on a cross from the right by defender Ronald Hernandez. Defender Noah Cobb leapt up for the header, but the connection floated just over the top of the crossbar.
The first half continued with plenty of chances from both ends. Atlanta forward Ryan Carmichael drove down the right-hand side and curled a low cross to Tablante, but his shot rifled outside of the right post. Moments later, the duo combined again, with Tablante's cross finding Carmichael but goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic made the save. Both sides entered the half level, 0-0.
Tablante started the second half quickly at the corner of the 18-yard box, with a curling left-footed shot toward the top-left corner, but Jakupovic stretched to punch away the attempt.
In the 64th minute, Chattanooga opened the scoring. Inside the box, Tate Robertson shot across a busy goal and Markus Nagelstad touched the ball slightly to redirect the ball in the bottom-right corner to take the 1-0 lead.
The second-half substitute Neri made an immediate impact in the 78th minute. Togashi received a ball in the box from Carmichael and played a short pass to Neri, who slotted it in the bottom-right corner to level the score, 1-1.
In the 87th minute, the visitors took the lead once again. Robert Screen dribbled into the right side of the box and and had his shot pushed away by Cohen, but Keegan Ancelin found the ball and finished into an open net.
Despite the late deficit, the 5-Stripes did not quit. They continued to create chances, and Neri stepped up once more. Togashi was the target of a floated ball into the box, but with his back to goal, he headed to Neri who spectacularly fired a missle of a volley into the back of the net to send both sides into a shootout.
The visitors took the extra point, after Jakupovic made two saves. The final score ended 2-2, with a 4-3 final in the penalty shootout.
Atlanta United 2 (0-1-2, 2 points) returns to action Sunday, April 6 when it hosts Inter Miami CF II at Fifth Third Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET, MLSNEXTPro.com). Some ATL UTD 2 matches are available with an MLS Season Pass subscription, located on the Apple TV app while the remainder of matches are streamed live on MLSNEXTPro.com.
Match Summary
Stats:
Shots: Atlanta 24 - 15 Chattanooga
Shots on target: Atlanta 11 - 8 Chattanooga
Corner kicks: Atlanta 7 - 4 Chattanooga
Fouls Committed: Atlanta 5 - 8 Chattanooga
Passing accuracy: Atlanta 90.1% - 81.3% Chattanooga
Scoring:
CFC – Markus Nagelstad (Robertson) 50'
ATL - Rodrigo Neri (Togashi) 78'
CFC - Keegan (Screen ) 87'
ATL - Rodrigo Neri (Togashi) 90' + 4
Disciplinary:
None.
Notes:
- Four players made their first appearance of the season for Atlanta United 2 this season.
- Rodrigo Neri scored his first goals of the season.
- Cayman Togashi assisted both Atlanta goals.
Shootout:
ATL
Javier Armas - ✅
Cayman Togashi - ❌
Rodrigo Neri - ✅
Noah Cobb - ✅
Luke Brennan - ❌
CFC
Markus Nagelstad - ✅
Farid Sar-Sar - ✅
Robert Screen - ✅
Nick Mendonca - ❌
Daniel Mangarov - ✅
Attendance: 297
