Atlanta United 2 falls 1-0 vs. Birmingham Legion FC

Atlanta United 2 fell 1-0 to Birmingham Legion FC on a penalty kick in stoppage time for its first loss at home this season. Goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo had a season-high of six saves in the competition. The match was also Tony Annan’s final game with the club before he begins his next chapter as head coach for University of South Carolina.

ATL UTD 2 dominated possession in the first half with 62 percent compared to Birmingham’s 38 percent.  Atlanta’s best chance came early in the fourth minute when Mikey Ambrose played a ball to Connor Stanley near the edge of the box. The forward then drove to the end line and cut the ball back to his right foot to fire a shot, but it went to the side of the net. 

Atlanta again had an early opportunity in the second half when Ronald Hernandez carved a defender on the right flank and served a cross into a crowded box, where Aiden McFadden was able to get off a right-footed shot, but it was blocked.

Ríos Novo had a busy second half as he faced five shots on target. One key save came in the 63rd minute when Bruno Lapa Broke loose and fired off a shot near the corner of the six-yard box, but Ríos Novo pushed it off the near post and out of bounds.

Birmingham finally solved the 18-year-old keeper on a penalty kick. In the second minute of stoppage time, the referee ruled that Tyler Wolff brought down Jaden Servania in the penalty box. Lapa stepped up and placed the ball to the bottom right corner, as Ríos Novo guessed the other way. The Argentine finished the match with six saves on seven shots.

ATL UTD 2 (2-2-2, 8 points) will return to action against Louisville City FC, June 6 at Fifth Third Bank Stadium (ESPN+, 7:30 p.m. ET).

MATCH INFO 

Atlanta 0, Birmingham 1

Fifth Third Bank Stadium

Kennesaw, GA

STATS

Shots: 16-9 Birmingham

Shots on Target: 7-0 Birmingham

Corner kicks: 8-5 Atlanta

Fouls committed: 15-11 Atlanta

Offside: 2-3 Birmingham

Possession: 57-43 Atlanta

Passing Accuracy: 85-83 Atlanta

SCORING SUMMARY

BHM – Bruno Lapa (penalty) 90+3’

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY

ATL – Robbie Mertz (yellow) 49’

ATL – Chris Allan (yellow) 73’

BHM – Zachary Herivaux (yellow) 89’

ATL UTD 2 STARTING LINEUP

Rocco Ríos Novo; Mikey Ambrose © (Bradley Kamdem Fewo – 80’), Alex De John, George Campbell, Ronald Hernandez (Darwin Matheus – 69’); Chris Allan, Tyler Wolff, Robbie Mertz (Will Reilly – 56’); Aiden McFadden, Connor Stanley (David Mejia – 80’), Matías Benítez (Amadou Macky Diop – 56’).

Substitutes not used: Josh Bauer, Vincente Reyes

BIRMINGHAM LEGION FC STARTING LINEUP

Matt Van Oekel; Anderson Asiedu, Phanueal Kavita ©, Ryan James, Jonathan Dean; J.J. Williams (Jaden Servania–70’), Bruno Lapa (Alex Crognale – 90+4’), Eli Cognale (Daigo Kobayashi,–70’), Benjamin Ofeimu; Zachary Herivaux, Neco Brett (Junior Flemmings–77’)

Substitutes not used: Jacob Rufe, Marcos Ugarte, Ford Parker

OFFICIALS

Thomas Snyder (referee), Ben Rigel, (assistant), Brian Marshall, (assistant), Madzid Coric (fourth). 

TEAM NOTES

• Robbie Mertz made his first start of the season.
• Amadou Macky Diop appeared in his first match of the season.
• Tony Annan coached his last match for Atlanta United 2, as he moves on to become University of South Carolina head coach. 
• Rocco Rios Novo recorded a season high six saves.