May 14, 2023 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro) – Atlanta United 2 News Release
Atlanta United 2 with possession
(Atlanta United 2)
KENNESAW, Ga. – Atlanta United 2 fell to Crown Legacy FC 2-1 Sunday evening at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. A pair of Homegrown Players contributed to Atlanta’s lone goal, with Efrain Morales heading in a cross from Tyler Wolff. However, a 73rd minute goal from Marko Filipovic gave all three points to the visitors.
Crown Legacy opened the scoring in the fourth minute. Down the left wing, Joao Pedro sent a cross into the box that found Vinicius Mello. Inside the six-yard box, the 20-year-old Brazilian corralled the ball in between two Atlanta defenders and calmly beat Sebastian Guerra for the 1-0 lead.
A hot day with temperatures in the high 80s, both teams struggled to find a rhythm throughout the first half before a hydration break was called a half-hour in. But Atlanta was able to break through just before halftime after Luke Brennan won a foul about 25 yards out. Wolff stepped up and sent an excellent ball toward the back post that Morales headed home for the equalizer.
Crown Legacy finally broke through after a back-and-forth second half to take the lead in the 73rd minute. Just coming on two minutes earlier, Marko Filipovic found space inside the 18 and blistered a right-footed shot past Guerra.
Atlanta piled on the pressure in the final 10 minutes with Noah Cobb and Nick Firmino combining for three attempted shots, one of which hit the post in stoppage time. But Atlanta was unable to find the equalizer.
ATL UTD 2 returns to action Thursday, May 19 on the road against Orlando City B at Osceola Heritage Park (7:00 p.m., MLS Season Pass). 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: 12-8 Crown Legacy
Shots on target: 3-1 Crown Legacy
Corner kicks: 4-1 Crown Legacy
Fouls Committed: 13-11 Atlanta
xG: 1.31 – 1.13 Atlanta
Possession: 54-46 Crown Legacy
Passing accuracy: 85-84 Atlanta
Scoring
CLT – Vinicius Mello (Pedro) 4′
ATL – Efrain Morales (Wolff) 45′
CLT – Marko Filipovic (Romero) 73′
Disciplinary
ATL – Tyler Wolff Y 20′
CLT – Iuri Tavares Y 21′
ATL – Kofi Twumasi Y 39′
CLT – Joao Pedro Y 61′
Notes
Efrain Morales scored his second career professional goal. His first came on Aug. 16, 2020 against Charleston Battery in USL competition.
Tyler Wolff added his second assist of the MLS Next Pro season.
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