Carolina Core FC Falls to Atlanta United 2, 4-0, on Matchday 2 of the MLS NEXT Pro Season

March 24, 2024 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
Carolina Core FC News Release

Kennesaw, Georgia – Carolina Core FC defeated ATL United 2 on Sunday afternoon at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.

Carolina Core FC Against ATL United 2

Sunday’s match marked CCFC’s first MLS Next Pro win, having already registered a win in the U.S. Open Cup this past Thursday.

Goal-Scoring Plays

ATL 2 – Luke Brennan, 24th minute: Luke Brennan deflected a cross into the left side of the goal, assisted by Javier Armas.

ATL 2 – Luke Brennan, 26th minute: Scores off a deflection on the bounce in the 18 yard box. He scored from the outside right foot to the bottom left corner of the goal.

ATL 2 – Javier Armas, 34th minute: Javier Armas scored a direct free kick right outside the box, to the top right corner of the goal.

ATL 2 – Karim Tmimi, 79th minute: Karim Tmimi scored with a right-footed shot to the bottom left corner of the goal from inside the penalty area.

Postgame Notes

CCFC MLS NEXT Pro debutants, Christian Diaz and Josuha Rodriguez

Pachittoo earns first CCFC start

Jesus Orejuela earns first MLS NEXT Pro start

MLS NEXT Pro Box Score

Christian Diaz and Josuha Rodriguez Make MLS NEXT Pro Debuts

After starring in CCFC’s first Open Cup match against Nova FC, Christian Diaz and Josuha Rodriguez made their MLS NEXT Pro debuts against Atlanta United 2. Diaz played the full 90 minutes on Sunday afternoon, while Rodriguez came on as a substitute after scoring the game-winning goal against Nova FC on Thursday night. His decisive goal gave CCFC their first win and helped secure a spot in the second round of the Cup competition.

Pachittoo Polanco earns first start for Carolina Core FC

After scoring two goals in his first two appearances for Carolina Core FC, Pachittoo earned a spot in the starting eleven Sunday against Atlanta United 2. Pachittoo made history last week, scoring the first goal in CCFC’s history against Crown Legacy FC in the first week of the MLS NEXT Pro season. Polanco then went on to score his second goal for CCFC in their first ever U.S. Open Cup match against Nova FC. The goal served as an equalizer (2-2), which set up CCFC for an eventual game-winner in the late stages of the match.

Jesus Orejuela earns first MLS NEXT Pro start

After coming on as a substitute in CCFC’s first match and starting in Thursday evening’s U.S. Open Cup victory, Jesus Orejuela earned his first MLS NEXT Pro start against Atlanta United 2. The talented midfielder played the full 90 minutes against Atlanta United 2,…