ATLANTA (July 7, 2023) – Atlanta United 2 midfielder Nick Firmino was voted MLS NEXT Pro Player of the Month for June 2023. Firmino scored five goals and added one assist across five matches.“We are all absolutely delighted for Nick not only for his performances in June but his outstanding contributions throughout the season so far,” said Atlanta United 2 Head Coach Steve Cooke. “Nick has shown high quality, great leadership and with the help of his teammates is enjoying an excellent season so far.”
On June 4, Firmino scored a brace and added an assist in Atlanta United 2’s 5-0 victory over Inter Miami CF II at home. His first goal of the month came in the 66th minute when the Brazilian midfielder played Toni Tiente in the box for a give and go that left Firmino open for a right footed strike towards the roof of the net. Just two minutes later, Firmino scored his second goal of the night off a counter-attack down the left sideline. Firmino received a through ball that left him with just the keeper to beat before curling in his second goal of the evening. Firmino added his assist in the 79th minute to help David Mejía net his first goal of the year.
On June 15, Firmino scored in a 2-2 draw on the road against Columbus Crew 2. In the 58th minute, Luke Brennan dumped off a pass to Firmino in space above the arc. The league-leader in goals took a couple dribbles before spinning and blasting a shot from distance into the top right corner for his eighth goal of the season.
On June 25, Firmino found his ninth and 10th goals of the season in ATL UTD 2’s 4-2 comeback victory over NYCFC II. In the 74th minute, Firmino gave Atlanta its first lead of the match when a deflected shot fell to Firmino at the edge of the box. The Brazilian took two touches before curling the ball into the bottom right corner. His brace came in the 84th minute when Jonantan Villal found Firmino near the top left edge of the box before curling it into the bottom right corner for his league-leading 10th goal of the season and fifth in June.
ATL UTD 2 (6-5-5, 24 points) will return to action against Crown Legacy FC, July 9 at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex at Matthews. (Apple TV – MLS NEXT Pro).
