Atlanta United 2 Routs Carolina Core FC 4-0

March 24, 2024 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
Atlanta United 2 News Release

Luke Brennan of Atlanta United 2
(Atlanta United 2)

ATLANTA – Atlanta United 2 took down Carolina Core FC 4-0 at Fifth Third Stadium on Sunday afternoon to claim its first win of the 2024 campaign. Luke Brennan, Javier Armas and Karim Tmimi all found the back of the net.

Atlanta United 2 started the match off on the front foot, as midfielder Alan Carleton found himself with a dangerous scoring opportunity in the eighth minute, receiving a well-placed cross from Daniel Russo in the middle of the box, but Carleton’s shot attempt to the middle of goal was saved by the keeper.

Atlanta broke through in the 24th minute after Armas lofted a pass through the box and found Brennan who flicked it through traffic to the left side of the net to put ATL UTD 2 ahead 1-0.

Two minutes later, Brennan secured a brace after Russo sent in another well-placed cross to the center of the penalty area, striking the ball with the outside of his boot and sent it narrowly by the keeper on the left side of the goal.

In the 30th minute, Brennan was taken out just outside the 18-yard box. Armas stepped up to take the free kick and struck the ball into the right side of the net to give Atlanta a 3-0 lead heading into halftime.

Atlanta was able to keep the pressure on CCFC in the second half, snuffing out any attempt on goal, including an impressive 1-on-1 save from John Berner in the 61st minute to maintain the clean sheet.

ATL UTD 2 capped off the scoring in the 78th minute after Matías Gallardo sent a through ball to Stephen Hurlock running down the right wing. Hurlock collected the pass and cut to the center of the box to lay off the ball for Tmimi, who struck a right-footed shot to the lower left corner of the goal.

Atlanta United 2 (1-0-1, 3 points) returns to action Monday, April 15 when it hosts Philadelphia Union II at Fifth Third Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET, Soccer Down Here). 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: 13-17 CCFC

Shots on target: 9-5 Atlanta

Corner kicks: 4-10 CCFC

Fouls Committed: 16-16

Passing accuracy: 81.0 – 82.5 CCFC

Possession: 53% – 47% Atlanta

Scoring:

ATL – Brennan (Armas) 24′

ATL – Brennan (Russo) 26′

ATL – Armas 33′

ATL – Tmimi (Hurlock) 78′

Disciplinary:

ATL – Javier Armas 2′ Y

ATL – Nobel Okello 40′ Y

CCFC – Christian Diaz 51′ Y

CCFC – Facundo Canete…