Atlanta United 2 lost 3-1 Friday night against New York Red Bulls II. Dylan Castanheira made an ATL UTD 2 single-match record nine saves while Brandon Vazquez scored his second goal of the year in his third appearance for ATL UTD 2.
Atlanta produced several threatening chances in the first half, but it was New York who broke through in the 44th minute. Jeciel Cedeno received a pass on the right side as Edgardo Rito made an overlapping run. Cedeno played Rito into the box where he scored with a low shot to the near post.
Red Bulls II doubled its lead in the 47th minute when Christopher Lema played Sebastian Elney into the box where he finished with a low shot into the bottom right corner.
Atlanta made a trio of attacking substitutions in the second half and cut the deficit in the 66th minute. Andrew Carleton received a pass near midfield and ran towards goal but was immediately dispossessed. Patrick Okonkwo gathered the loose ball and played a pin-point through ball to Vazquez behind New York’s backline. In his first appearance in more than two months after being sidelined with a knee injury, Vazquez curled a shot into the bottom right corner.
Red Bulls II extended its lead back to two goals after Kyle Zajec scored from a set piece. Lema took a free kick from the right wing that Zajec redirected into the top-left corner.
ATL UTD 2 (3-6-4, 13 points) returns to action Saturday, June 15 against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at 7:30 p.m. EST at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. The match will be streamed live on ESPN+.
