It seems like the madness from March bled into April as Atlanta United faced one of the busiest months on the schedule. With the start of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the arrival of a new player and a total of six matches (four of those away), April was an action-packed month for the 5-Stripes.
1. First win as returning reigning champs – Atlanta United wins 6-0 in third round of Open Cup
On Wednesday, April 19, Atlanta met Chattanooga FC in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Atlanta faced a lot of pressure coming into the competition as the reigning champs and the team rose to the challenge. In a dominant match, Atlanta scored six goals: a brace from Dom Dwyer, a penalty kick from Marcelino Moreno, an incredible shot from Brooks Lennon and, cementing his return, Luiz Araújo scored a banger that rocked Fifth-Third Bank Stadium and earned him our goal of the month.
2. A whirlwind of a month- Ronaldo Cisneros joins the team, makes his debut and scores his first goal.
April was a memorable month for our newest signing. In the span of 24 days, Ronaldo Cisneros moved from to the U.S., made his MLS debut, got his first MLS start and scored his very first MLS goal. Cisneros, on loan from Chivas de Guadalajara, scored his first goal in the bittersweet 2-1 loss against Inter Miami.
3. Atlanta United Unified team plays a friendly scrimmage with the Atlanta Area School for the Deaf
Atlanta United kicked off National Deaf History Month starting with a friendly scrimmage between the Atlanta United Unified team and the Atlanta Area School for the Deaf. The scrimmage held at the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground was full of goals, action plays and fun. The team also invited the AASD to the April 16 home match against FC Cincinnati.
4. What a SAVE! - Brad Guzan earns a clean sheet against D.C. United
It was a tight matchup between Atlanta and D.C. United on April 2. The match consisted of action-packed plays and a last-minute header from Marcelino Moreno that gave the 5-Stripes the victory. In the match, Brad Guzan played a key role in keeping the 5-Stripes ahead, which earned him our Save of the Month.
5. The future is bright – Academy Signing Day
Nothing is better than celebrating the accomplishments of our Academy players, and on Wednesday, April 20 we got to celebrate the 2022 National Signing Day ceremony at the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground. That day, 15 Academy players signed a National Letter of Intent to begin their collegiate careers in the fall.
Congratulations and all the best wishes to: James Dee (Presbyterian College), Dagoberto Romero (Georgia Southern University), Mateo Bargagna (Tufts University), Rohan Blackwell (Air Force Academy), Grant Howard (Virginia Tech), Gray Mollenkamp (Claremont McKenna College), Nigel Prince (Northwestern University), Evan Schroeder (Georgia State University), Bryce Griffith (University of South Carolina), Justin McLean (Georgia State University), Miguel Romero (Stetson University), Amari Salley (University of Virginia), Damian Segura (Drake University), Andy Sullins (University of Virginia) and Matthew Taylor (Georgia State University).
