Atlanta United 2 Defeats Philadelphia Union II 1-0

April 30, 2023 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro) – Atlanta United 2 News Release

Atlanta United 2 forward Karim Tmimi reacts after his goal
(Atlanta United 2)

KENNESAW, Ga. – Atlanta United 2 defeated Philadelphia Union II 1-0 Sunday night at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. Karim Tmimi scored his first professional goal, while 17-year-old Academy Player Shawn Lanza started in his professional debut. The team recorded its third consecutive win for the first time in club history and climbed to third in the Central Division.

After Philadelphia began the match with a couple of free kicks from outside the box, Atlanta began to take control of the match. In the 15th minute, Luke Brennan played a through ball from the right sideline to a sprinting Nick Firmino up the middle of the field. Firmino took two touches to control the ball and fired a shot from just outside the box, which was saved by Philadelphia goalkeeper Andrew Rick.

In the 23rd minute, Vicente Reyes made a diving save to keep Philadelphia from scoring the first goal of the match. Union II’s David Vazquez dribbled inside the box and ripped a left-footed strike aimed towards the bottom left. Reyes dove to his right to secure one of his five saves on the night.

Atlanta finally found the breakthrough in the 40th minute. Toni Tiente started the play with a long pass from Atlanta’s defensive half which Firmino chested down before taking several touches inside Philadelphia’s box before laying it off for an open Tmimi. The France native took a few dribbles and blasted a shot past Rick and into the right side of the net for his first professional goal.

A couple of minutes later, Philadelphia’s Christopher Olney Jr. came close to equalizing when a cross was fired into the box and gently headed down by José Riasco. Olney’s volley blasted wide and to the right.

As Philadelphia searched for the equalizer, Atlanta continued to knock on the door with multiple chances in the second half. In the 78th minute, Firmino looked to add to his league leading score total when he dribbled to the center of the box and fired a shot that was blocked by a Philadelphia defender.

Union II, however, quickly turned around and started the break towards Reyes’ goal. Boubacar Diallo, who came in as a sub in the 60th minute, sent a ball across the box, dangerously passing by two Philadelphia Union II players but eventually cleared out for a corner by Aiden McFadden.

ATL UTD 2 finished the game with its second clean sheet of the year thanks to…