ATL UTD 2 hosted Bethlehem Steel FC on Wednesday night at Coolray Field and took home a 2-1 win. (photo: Padraig O’Dea)
Atlanta United 2 – 2 Bethlehem Steel FC – 1
ATL UTD 2 broke a six match winless streak with a 2-1 win over Bethlehem Steel FC in front of 1,658 at Coolray Field on a hot muggy night. Atlanta came out aggressive and controlled the first half with 62% possession and nine shots on goal. Brandon Vázquez grabbed a first half goal and Oliver Shannon added another to secure the win.
ATL UTD 2 head coach Scott Donnelly spoke to the performance, “I’m pleased that we put in a good performance. I think Bethlehem is a good team, a difficult team to play against. I think although we certainly had the better of it, they made it hard for us to put the game away.”
ATL UTD 2 has played very well at home winning three and drawing three while only losing once. Atlanta United 2 midfielder Oliver Shannon, one of the goal scorers, spoke to the Coolray Field form after the match, “If you look at our home form, it is pretty good to be honest. You’re not always going to win on the road but I would say we are happy with our home performances. It is now how mentally strong can we be to translate that to away performances because we know we can do it.”
Scoring
Atlanta United 2 – 1 Bethlehem Steel FC – 0 Brandon Vázquez 25′
Brandon Vázquez received a long outlet from AJ Cochran into the 18-yard-box. Bethlehem defender Matt Real struck a clearance that went straight into Vázquez. He collected the loose ball and chipped a cheeky right footed shot from a difficult angle over Jake McGuire into the bottom right corner.
.@Brvndonv with a cheeky finish to put ATL UTD 2 on top! ? pic.twitter.com/XJgNT51Xya
— ATL UTD 2 (@atlutd2) July 11, 2018
Atlanta United 2 – 2 Bethlehem Steel FC – 0 Oliver Shannon 50′ (AJ Cochran)
Oliver Shannon left footed shot from outside the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by A.J. Cochran following a corner.
Oh stop it, @Oliver_Shannon ? pic.twitter.com/AfP4Laen5w
— ATL UTD 2 (@atlutd2) July 12, 2018
Atlanta United 2 2, Bethlehem Steel FC 1 Derrick Jones (Aidan Apodaca 87′)
Bethlehem Steel midfielder Derrick Jones was able to shake free in the box after a corner was not cleared. He collected the ball and fired a left footed shot into the top right corner.
Personnel Details
Defender Will Crain came off the bench for a strong 30 minute performance. The eighteen year old is currently in Atlanta United’s Academy system, and made his professional debut against Toronto FC II in May. With Atlanta United Academy in 2016-17 season he appeared in 30 games and made 26 starts for the U16s, scoring two goals. Crain started all six playoff matches, helped lead the team to the national championship. Atlanta United goalkeeper Alec Kann after the match had this to say about his performance, “Will (Crain) did well, he came into a game that was going a million miles an hour. He defended well. Broke up some crosses, flicked on a couple headers, and defended really well for us.”
ATL UTD 2 head coach Scott Donnelly added, “He did really well tonight. Down on this end of the field it’s hard to see all the detail pieces, but there is no question that he gave us the solidity we were looking for with the game situation. Also in this case with him coming in for Jack Metcalf, our captain, who is on a little bit of a minute limitation because he is returning from an injury. So we had the opportunity to pre-plan with Will a little bit and prepare him for the situation he may be entering. Will is one of these kids that you give a job and he just goes out and does it. There is no fuss and he gives you exactly what you are looking for as a coach. And tonight he was just what the doctor ordered for us to play that last 30 minute stretch.”
ATL UTD 2 hosted Bethlehem Steel FC on Wednesday night at Coolray Field and took home a 2-1 win. (photo: Padraig O’Dea)
Line-ups
Atlanta United 2
- GK: Alec Kann
- Defenders (4): Jack Metcalf (Will Crain – 61′), AJ Cochran, Miles Robinson, Sal Zizzo
- Defensive Midfielders (2): Andrew Kendall-Moullin, Oliver Shannon
- Attacking Midfielders(3): Jon Gallagher, Andrew Carleton, Brandon Vázquez (Lagos Kunga – 71′)
- Forward (1): Romario Williams (Yosef Samuel – 81′)
Unused Substitutes
- Nico Caraux, Chris Goslin, Jose Hernandez, Devon Sandoval
Bethlehem Steel FC
- GK: Jake McGuire
- Defenders (4): Matt Real, Brandon Aubrey, Matt Mahoney, Olivier Mbaizo
- Midfielders (2): James Chambers, Derrick Jones
- Midfielders (2): Sani Moar (Drew Skundrich – 22′), Adam Najem, Chris Nanco (Prosper Chiluya – 71′)
- Forwards (1): Tonny Temple (Aidan Apodaca – 57′)
Unused Substitutes
- Tomas Romero, AJ Paterson, Ben Ofeimu
Up Next
Atlanta United 2 return to action on Saturday, July 21 against Richmond Kickers at 7:00 p.m. EST at City Stadium.
