Atlanta United 2 Defeats Chicago Fire II 2-0

April 22, 2023 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro) – Atlanta United 2 News Release

Atlanta United 2’s Nicolas Firmino on game night
(Atlanta United 2)

KENNESAW, GA – Atlanta United 2 defeated Chicago Fire II 2-0 Saturday night at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. Nick Firmino scored his second consecutive brace to give Atlanta its second win of the season while the team kept its first clean sheet of the year. Atlanta United Academy player Cooper Sanchez became the youngest player to appear for ATL UTD 2 at 15 years old.

ATL UTD 2 took an early lead, capitalizing on a mistake from the visiting team’s keeper in the 10th minute. Jeffrey Gal’s clearance found Luke Brennan just outside the box who quickly headed the ball to Firmino for a one touch goal from his left boot inside the box.

Atlanta continued to put pressure on the visitors, consistently pressuring Chicago’s goal and nearly doubled the lead when a Firmino header missed wide right in the 23rd minute.

ATL UTD 2 continued to knock on the door with multiple chances to score in the second half and eventually put the game out of reach in the 84th minute when Firmino netted his second goal of match. Erik López sent a corner kick directly to Firmino’s head in the center of the box, deflecting off Gal and into the back of the net for the Brazilian’s team-leading fifth goal of the year. It was also López’s second assist of the campaign.

In his fourth start, Vicente Reyes and ATL UTD 2 kept the team’s first clean sheet of the season. Chicago created multiple chances throughout the second half, but it was Reyes in goal with seven saves that kept preserved the lead down the stretch.

Chicago failed to put the ball in goal, but was not shy in shot attempts with 21. Chicago Fire II’s best chance of the night came in the 60th minute when Luke Prpa dribbled the ball deep into Atlanta’s box and fired a shot that bounced off Reyes’ chest and eventually was cleared from danger.

Sanchez entered the match for López in stoppage time of the second half to make his professional debut and become the youngest player ever to play in a match for ATL UTD 2 at 15 years old and 27 days.

ATL UTD 2 returns to action Sunday, April 30 at home against Philadelphia Union II at Fifth Third Bank Stadium (6:00 p.m., MLSNEXTPro.com). Some ATL UTD 2 matches are available with an MLS Season Pass subscription, located on the Apple TV app while the remainder of matches are streamed live on MLSNEXTPro.com.

Match Summary

Stats

Shots: 21-14 Chicago

Shots on…