Atlanta United 2 fell 2-1 to Philadelphia Union II in stoppage time in its 2024 season finale on Sunday afternoon at Subaru Park. Goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert set a new ATL UTD 2 single-season saves record after posting five saves in the contest. He notched 89 saves through 19 matches. Midfielder Javier Armas also became the first player in Atlanta United 2 history to play every minute of action in a single season, appearing in all 28 games and 2,520 minutes.
Union II were active early in the match and controlled possession in the opening moments. Within the first 20 minutes, Philadelphia carved out multiple chances and had two goals called back for offside. In the eighth minute, Edward Davis found himself on the other end of a through ball behind Atlanta's defense for a one-on-one with Hibbert. After getting around the keeper, Davis had a clear path towards goal, but defender Efraรญn Morales recovered before he could get a shot off and dispossessed Davis.
As the match went on, Atlanta became more comfortable and began to create opportunities of its own. In the 41st minute, midfielder Nick Firmino showed off his dribbling skills after breaking through multiple defenders to make his way into the box before being taken down. The Brazilian stepped up to the penalty spot and sent his attempt right up the middle to send ATL UTD 2 into the break with a 1-0 lead.
Eying to double the lead in the 61st minute, Rodrigo Neri played a ball to an open Ashton Gordon on the left wing, who carried the ball into the 18-yard box and hit a left-footed strike that pinged off the crossbar.
With the clock beginning to wind down, Philadelphia turned up its offensive intensity. In the 76th, goalkeeper Andrew Rick played the ball to Cavan Sullivan at the midfield line. Sullivan ran into the box and got a shot off but his attempt was met by Hibbert who sent it away for a corner. Two minutes later, Philadelphia found the back of the net after Davis flicked the ball back to Sullivan making a run towards goal, who made a one-time strike with his left foot for the equalizer.
Philadelphia kept up the pressure heading into stoppage time. In the 91st, the ball was played beyond Atlanta's backline for Leandro Soria, but Hibbert rushed to the edge of the box and sent the ball away for a corner. One minute before the final whistle, Union II lofted a pass into the penalty area. A mishit clearance resulted in the ball falling to Chris Olney Jr. at the top of the box for the midfielder to volley it to the lower left corner for the match-winner
Notes:
- Midfielder Javier Armas is the only ATL UTD 2 player to appear in all 2,520 minutes this season. Armas is the only player in Atlanta United 2 history to play every minute of action in a season.
- Jayden Hibbert set a new ATL UTD 2 single-season saves record with his five saves this afternoon. He finished the season with a total of 89 saves.
- Nick Firmino scored his third goal of the season.
- Nick Firmino led all players in shots with four.
- Kaiden Moore led all players in successful passes with 59.
Stats:
Shots: 13-12 Atlanta
Shots on target: 7-4 Philadelphia
Corner kicks: 8-4 Philadelphia
Fouls Committed: 12-9 Philadelphia
Passing accuracy: 87.0% - 72.9% Atlanta
Scoring:
ATL โ Nick Firmino (Penalty) 43'
PHI โ Cavan Sullivan (Davis) 77'
PHI โ Chris Olney Jr. (Unassisted) 90'+5'
Disciplinary:
PHI โ Jose Riasco ๐จ 71'
ATL โ Jayden Hibbert ๐จ 90'+2'
