KISSIMMEE, Fla. (March 16, 2025) - Atlanta United 2 faced off against Orlando City B in a thrilling 2-2 draw, that saw the host take the extra point in the penalty shootout. Atlanta scored its first goals of the season with Homegrown player Luke Brennan netting the first and 2025 MLS SuperDraft pick Ronan Wynne scoring his first professional goal.
The first 15 minutes saw an even amount of possesion and chances from both sides. Orlando had the best chance of the opening minutes with a dangerous cross driven low from winger Zakaria Taifi across the box, but no one was there to put the ball away.
Atlanta began to dominate the first half through set pieces and crosses, and the dominance resulted in a goal in the 30th minute. Ryan Carmichael lofted the ball into the left side of the box from 25 yards out and connected with defender Sal Mazzaferro, who headed the ball toward the far-post, meeting Brennan who put the finishing touch on the 5-Stripes' first goal of the season.
The Lions started to create chances of their own. Jayden Hibbert was called into action in the 40th minute when Taifi tried his luck on the right side of the six-yard box, but the shot-stopper saved the ball off his chest and a the second save moments later, pushing the ball away for a corner.
Atlanta's dominance continued with another promising cross. Moises Tablante carried the ball wide in Orlando's half and floated a ball toward Mazzaferro at the penalty spot, whose redirection landed just wide of the left post.
Just before halftime, Orlando would equalize. Justin Ellis and Jhon Solis combined off a throw-in, and Ellis took advantage of a tight space on the left-side in the box by curling a low finish off the post.
Atlanta began the second half quickly, with Rodrigo Neri stripping the ball from an Orlando defender inside the box and firing a quick shot in the 47th minute, but it rippled the side netting for a goal kick.
Orlando would take the advantage off a set piece. A corner taken by Taifi found Shakur Mohammed, who leapt at the back post to connect with his right foot and give the hosts a 2-1 lead in the 56th minute.
Atlanta would create several chances to go level again, first with a curling-shot from the right side by Tablante outside the box, but just over in 61st minute. Three minutes later, Dominik Chong Qui fired on the opposite side, saved by Javier Otero.
Both sides would go back-and-forth creating chances, and Atlanta would be the one to capitalize in the 78th minute. A set-piece delivery from Nyk Sessock bounced between Orlando players inside the box and would find Neri from six yards out. Neri headed it toward the back post to find Ronan Wynne, who would score the first professional goal in his career, tying it 2-2.
Homegrown Adyn Torres looked to put away the dagger in the 87th minute with a strike from the top of the box, but a tipping-save sent the game into a penalty shootout to determine who claimed the extra point.
The shootout saw Atlanta miss a pair of attempts while Orlando went four-for-four to claim the extra point.
Atlanta United 2 (0-1-1, 1 point) returns to action Sunday, March 30 when it hosts Chattanooga FC 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 20 - 9 Orlando
Shots on target: Atlanta 6 - 5 Orlando
Corner kicks: Atlanta 10 - 3 Orlando
Fouls Committed: Atlanta 14 - 17 Orlando
Passing accuracy: Atlanta 86.1% - 76% Orlando
Scoring:
ATL – Luke Brennan (Mazzaferro) 30'
ORL - Justin Ellis (Solis) 44'
ORL - Shakur Mohammed (Tafi) 56'
ATL - Ronan Wynne (Neri) 78'
Disciplinary:
ORL – Solis 🟨 31'
ATL - Chong Qui 🟨 35'
ORL - Thalles 🟨 60'
ORL - Carballo 🟨 68'
ORL - Guske 🟨 71'
ATL - Sessock 🟨 80'
ORL - Platts 🟨 90' + 1
Notes:
- Defender Nyk Sessock and Academy graduate Cooper Sanchez make their first starts of the season.
- Academy player Braden Dunham makes his second start in MLS NEXT Pro.
- Luke Brennan scored the first goal of Atlanta United 2's 2025 MLS NEXT Pro campaign.
- Ronan Wynne scored the first game in his professional career.
Penalty Shootout:
ORL
Colin Guske - ✅
Jhon Solis - ✅
Jackson Platts - ✅
Dyson Clapier - ✅
ATL
Ryan Carmichael - ❌
Sal Mazzaferro - ❌
Rodrigo Neri - ✅
