June 4, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Atlanta United 2 News Release
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Atlanta United fell 5-2 to Memphis 901 FC at AutoZone Park in Memphis, Tennessee on Saturday night.
Atlanta opened the scoring through captain Robbie Mertz in the 18th minute. Mathieu Brick placed a ball into the middle of the Memphis penalty area between two 901 FC defenders. After taking a bounce, Zach Carroll half-cleared to Mertz, who volleyed a shot toward net. Goalkeeper Trey Muse was able to get his body in front of the shot but was unable to keep the ATL UTD 2 captain’s effort out of the goal.
Memphis equalized in the 25th minute through Laurent Kissiedou. Rece Buckmaster was sent down the right flank by a long ball from midfield and ran into the Atlanta box before a lay-off pass to the Kissiedou. Rocco Ríos Novo was able to get a hand on the Ivorian’s first-time shot, but it still found its way to the back of the net.
Phillip Goodrum and Luiz Fernando combined for two more Memphis goals in the first half. In the 26th minute, Fernando used fancy footwork to dribble into the Atlanta penalty area before Goodrum took the ball off him and rolled it into goal. Fernando made another long run with the ball prior to finding Goodrum at the 18-yard line. The striker’s shot deflected off an Atlanta defender and in to seal a brace for Goodrum in the 31st minute.
Andy Sullins started the second half off with a goal for the visitors. Brick found Raimar after pouncing on a loose pass from a Memphis defender. The Brazilian found Darwin Matheus, who faked a shot with his left foot before taking another with his right. The shot beat Muse, but Sullins was able to score his first senior goal from close-range following a goal-line block from Carroll.
The hosts re-established a two-goal advantage in the 70th minute. Fernando was once again let loose down the right wing, getting to the end line before sending in a cross. Goodrum and Grant Howard battled for the ball;…