The 2020 season was unpredictable, and unlike any other in USL history. However, one thing that stayed consistent was the strong effort by our ATL UTD 2 players, with several of them achieving personal milestones with the club.
The ATL UTD 2 season kicked off on March 8 against the Charleston Battery. Several players made their professional debuts in the match, including Phillip Goodrum, Daniel Steedman, and Atlanta United Academy player Coleman Gannon. Jack Gurr, Bradley Kamdem Fewo and Ben Lundgaard made their club debuts.
After a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, play resumed on July 11 against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Amadou Macky Diop and Abdoulaye Diop made their professional debuts along with Academy players Ajani Fortune, Caleb Wiley and Matthew Edwards.
One week later, ATL UTD 2 stepped back onto the pitch and recorded their first draw of the season, a 2-2 battle against Memphis 901 FC. Early in the second half, a debut goal from Gannon gave ATL UTD 2 the lead. However, Memphis managed to get one through in stoppage time to secure the draw. Academy player David Mejia also made his professional debut in the match.
On July 29, ATL UTD 2 secured their first victory in a 4-3 thriller against The Miami FC, the first match with Interim Heach Coach Tony Annan at the helm. Macky Diop scored his first two professional goals, bringing new meaning to his catchphrase of No Macky, No Party. Academy player Mejia also notched his first professional goal, only four minutes after subbing in.
On August 15, Efrain Morales finished off an exciting week featuring his professional debut and first professional goal, just two days after signing a Homegrown contract with Atlanta United. Morales pounced on the rebound of a blocked attempt from his teammate to score his first goal.
Four days later, ATL UTD 2 played The Miami FC to a 2-2 draw. Forward Jack Gurr scored his first professional goal, after Abdoulaye Diop picked off a pass in ATL UTD 2’s penalty area and found a wide open Gurr. The fullback dribbled into plenty of space before unleashing a right-footed shot from just beyond the 18-yard-box that picked out the top-left corner.
On August 22, Phillip Goodrum scored his first professional goal against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The forward converted a penalty kick in the 90th minute.
In a 2-1 win against Philadelphia Union II, Academy player Vicente Reyes made his professional debut on September 2. In goal, Reyes held the Union scoreless until they snuck one past in stoppage time.
On September 12, Academy player Ajani Fortune scored his first professional goal against The Miami FC. Following a Jack Gurr cross in the box, Jackson Conway’s touch was cleared by a Miami defender. The clearance went right into the path of Fortune, who curled the ball from 18 yards into the top corner.
On September 16, Academy player Brendan Lambe made his professional debut against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Though ATL UTD 2 finished the season 3-10-3 (12 points), the disrupted season featured several big moments upon which the club will look to build in 2021.
