Atlanta United 2 returns to action on Wednesday, June 13 when it hosts Charlotte Independence at Coolray Field. The match is scheduled to kick off at 7:00 p.m. EST and will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Wednesday marks ATL UTD 2’s first home match following a four-game road swing as the team looks to win its second-straight at Coolray Field after defeating Toronto FC II 5-4 on May 16. Atlanta came up short in a 2-0 loss to Indy Eleven last Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium. A week after he posted his first-career clean sheet, goalkeeper Paul Christensen set a new career-high with five saves. Indy Eleven scored on either side of the half as Matthew Watson scored in the 30th minute while Carlyle Mitchell doubled the lead in the 55th minute from a header at the back post off a corner kick. Despite the result, ATL UTD 2 out-possessed Indy 58-42, marking the third-consecutive match Atlanta has controlled the ball.
Charlotte Independence lost to New York Red Bulls II 4-2 on June 9 at MSU Soccer Park. Tied 1-1 at halftime, Red Bulls II exploded with three goals in the second half to put the match out of reach, though Jorge Herrera netted a late penalty for the Independence in the 86th minute. Charlotte had its four-game winning streak snapped with the loss.
Saturday’s match marks the second meeting between ATL UTD 2 and Charlotte Independence. Both sides played to a 2-2 draw in the first match on March 31 at Sportsplex at Matthews. First Team Homegrown players George Bello and Lagos Kunga provided all the offense for Atlanta in the team’s inaugural road match. In his professional debut, 16-year-old defender Bello forced an own-goal in the 28th minute to put ATL UTD 2 in front 1-0, but Charlotte equalized in the 37th minute from Jorge Herrera. Atlanta pulled ahead in the 82nd minute when Kunga scored his first professional goal for a 2-1 lead. However, Herrera struck again for Charlotte, equalizing three minutes later to even the match at two apiece.
