July 7, 2021 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Atlanta United 2 News Release
KENNESAW, Ga. – Atlanta United 2 played to a tough 1-1 draw versus Indy Eleven Wednesday night at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. Connor Stanley secured his first goal of the season en route to the draw.
Atlanta handled a high press from Indy and patiently maintained possession for the entirety of the first half. The team saw its first opportunity in the 18th minute. Stanley drove into the box from the left flank and found an open Aiden McFadden at the back post where he quickly settled and fired a right-footed shot, but Eric Dick made the save.
In the 42nd minute, Jared Timmer played a ball over the top to Peter-Lee Vassell. The forward took a heavy initial touch and Rocco Ríos Novo got his fingertips to the ball to interrupt the play and then he collected the ball to keep a scoreless first half. ATL UTD 2 completed the half with 12 total shots, while holding Indy to five.
Indy found the back of the net in the 64th minute to take the lead. Nick Moon gained possession in the final third and drove into the box, where he played Jordan Hamilton for the one-time sliding finish. Atlanta eventually responded with the equalizer in the 72nd minute. Caleb Wiley took on the defender and drove into the box, where he found Stanley near the penalty spot. The 19-year-old forward spun with the ball to set up his right foot for a shot and he then placed it into the top corner to even the game at one.
Ríos Novo came up with numerous big saves to keep the match even in the closing minutes. Specifically, in the 88th minute, Nicky Law had an open look at the top of the six-yard box, but the 18-year-old goalkeeper denied Law with a big left hand. Then, Manuel Arteaga crashed in on the rebound. However, Ríos Novo was there again to pounce on the ball, keeping it away from the goal line as well as the incoming pressure.
ATL UTD 2 (3-4-5, 14 points) will return to action against Sporting KC II, July 10 at Fifth Third Bank Stadium (ESPN+, 7:30 p.m. ET).
MATCH INFO
Atlanta 1, Indy 1
Fifth Third Bank Stadium
Kennesaw, GA
STATS
Shots: 23-11 Atlanta
Shots on Target: 8-4 Atlanta
Corner kicks: 6-1 Atlanta
Fouls committed: 12-8 Atlanta
Offside: 3-2 Indy
Possession: 52-48 Atlanta
Passing Accuracy: 86-80 Atlanta
SCORING SUMMARY
IND – Jordan Hamilton (Nick Moon) 64′
ATL – Connor Stanley 73′
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
ATL UTD 2 STARTING LINEUP
Rocco Ríos Novo; Bryce Washington, Bradley Kamdem Fewo ©, Caleb Wiley, Aiden McFadden; Chris Allan, Robbie Mertz, Will Reilly; Danial Sebhatu (Alexander Garuba – 76′), Darwin Matheus (Ajani Fortune – 55′), Connor Stanley
Substitutes not used: Vincente Reyes, Amadou Macy Diop, Phillip Goodrum
INDY ELEVEN STARTING LINEUP
Eric Dick; A.J. Cochran, Rece Buckmaster, Patrick Seagirst; Jared Timmer, Jeremiah Guitjahr (Aboubacar Sissoko – 73′), Nicky Law ©, Gershon Koffie, Peter-Lee Vassell (Cameron Smith – 65′); Jordan Hamilton (Manuel Arteaga – 65′), Gordon Wild (Nick Moon – 45′)
Substitutes not used: Bobby Edwards, Nedeljko Malic, Karl, Ouimette
OFFICIALS
Sergii Demianchuk, (referee), Zeno Cho, (assistant), Austin Holt, (assistant), Kyle Johnston, (fourth official)
TEAM NOTES
Connor Stanley scored his first goal with ATL UTD 2.
ATL UTD 2 had a season high of 23 total shots in Wednesday night’s match. Its previous season high was 17.
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