CARY, N.C. — Atlanta United 2 lost 4-0 to North Carolina FC Friday night at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park.
“Of course, we aren’t happy with the result at the end of the night,” said ATL UTD 2 head coach Scott Donnelly. “I don’t think it’s totally reflective of the way the game played out or the chances we created, but ultimately we need to be sharper in front of goal and tighter defensively.”
North Carolina grabbed the lead early when striker Donovan Ewolo scored in 7th minute on a pass from Daniel Rios. The home side doubled its lead in the 21st minute through an own goal by Will Crain. Steven Miller received a pass from Kyle Bekker on the right side of the penalty area and looked to play the ball across the six-yard box, but Crain’s attempted block was deflected into goalkeeper Alec Kann’s net.
ATL UTD 2 nearly pulled a goal back in the 29th minute when winger Lagos Kunga ripped a left-footed shot from outside of the box, but pulled it just wide of the right post. Brandon Vazquez almost scored in first half stoppage time when Jack Metcalf served a ball into the box from a set piece that fell to Kunga, who struck the ball towards goal. Vazquez was able to get a foot to it, but his attempt was turned away by former Atlanta United goalkeeper Alex Tambakis.
North Carolina extended its lead in the 52nd minute after Bekker’s shot from beyond the penalty area ricocheted off the crossbar. Rios tracked down the rebound and scored with a left-footed shot into the bottom right corner.
Andrew Carleton entered as a substitute in the second half and nearly scored a highlight-reel goal in 59th minute. The 17-year-old Homegrown ripped a shot from well outside of the 18-yard box which dipped over Tambakis’ head, but struck the bar and flew out of play for a goal kick.
Atlanta pushed for a late goal and had two chances on a Vazquez header in the 79th minute that missed just over the bar, and a shot on goal from substitute Yosef Samuel in the 81st who struck it right at Tambakis. North Carolina added a goal late in the 89th minute from substitute Marios Lomis.
ATL UTD 2 (2-6-3, 9 points) returns to action Saturday, June 2 against Tampa Bay Rowdies at 7:30 p.m. at Al Lang Stadium. The match will be streamed live on ESPN+.
