Final Whistle: 10-Man ATLUTD2 Dominate Early, Lose On The Road At Crown Legacy

The 2's Hit The Road For An Early Season Challenge at Crown Legacy/Photo by SDH

Atlanta United 2 and head coach Jose Silva hit the road to take on another top-ten ranked side in MLS NEXT Pro in Crown Legacy Sunday night at the Sportsplex at Matthews. The night would end up frustrating on more than one front as the home side would leave with a 3-0- the final score not indicating the tenor of the match.

Trying to maintain the momentum picked up at home and apply it to the road, the 2's trotted out Jono Ransom in net. Dominic Chong Qui, Toto Majub, Matthew Senanou, and Daniel Chica were at the back. Adrian Gill and Jay Fortune were in front of the backline. Cameron Dunbar, Santi Pita, and Enzo Dovlo would join Liam Butts in the attack.

Crown Legacy would count on MLS veteran keeper Tyler Miller between the sticks. Sangoquiza, Johnson, Neeley, and Cleary were at the back. The four-man midfield was made of Berchimas, Coulibaly, Subotic, and Richmond with Mbongue and Aloko up top.

The pressure was put on Tyler Miller early on by the 2's as Cameron Dunbar would launch a shot just outside of the 18-yard box that Miller would flick over the crossbar in the 11th minute. A subsequent Jay Fortune cross off the corner kick was cleared away by the home side.

A few minutes later, a cross from DCQ would eventually lead to another MIller save off a shot by Toto Majub. Not to be outdone, the pressure from the 2's would result in a possible PK shout as Daniel Chica and DCQ would combine. Adrian Gill would be involved in another exchange with Chong Qui, but Miller would be called upon again.

In the 26th, Enzo Dovlo and Cameron Dunbar would work together with a shot eventually blocked by the Crown backline. Santi Pita would have another ATLUTD2 shot saved by Miller a minute later- combined with a scramble in front of net off a corner that ricocheted off Chong Qui, a Crown defender, and Tyler Miller. The ball would spin and settle inside the 6 and Miller would collect.

For the most part, the 2's would stay in control and had another opportunity turned away as both Liam Butts and Cameron Dunbar had chances turned away and the match would stay goalless through 45.

Crown Legacy would have three yellow cards issued in the first half on seven fouls- the 2's would not be whistled for a foul in play. Atlanta United 2 would have 9 shots, 6 on target (2 shots for Crown Legacy) in a dominant first half. The only stat where the 2's couldn't show the dominance was on the scoreboard.

The second half would turn on two quick yellow cards issued to Adrian Gill. The first yellow came, literally, on the first foul called against ATLUTD2 and Adrian Gill near center circle. The second would come six minutes later as Gill tried to prevent a quick restart off a free kick chance in Crown's defensive half. Simon Tonidandel would fire the ball into Gill from close range and the stoppage would give referee Benjamin Meyer the opportunity to pull the card from his pocket.

Head Coach Jose Silva would have his say with Meyer and would also get a yellow for his conversation.

Crown Legacy would break through in the 61st on a Nimfasa Berchimas shot off a rebound after a Jono Ransom save from close range.

Down 1-0, Jose Silva would try and work substitutions to try and bring in fresh energy 11v10. Arif Kovac would have a shot go just wide of the far post with 18 minutes to go. Chica and Enzo Dovlo would combine up the right and a cutback cross would get a slight deflection before it made its way to Kovac for the eventual shot. The next possession, the 2's would charge up the left and Tyler Miller would put up a right glove for save #8.

Crown Legacy would take advantage of tired legs with six minutes left as a slide challenge by Willian Sangoquiza would lead the turnover to Rodolfo Aloko. The 19-year-old would register his 6th goal of the season putting the ball home for a 2-0 advantage. Magic Smalls would add a third north of 90 minutes for Crown Legacy.

Final stats: The shot total ends up 15-12 in favor of Crown Legacy. The foul total ends up 12-9 with the numbers evening up with Atlanta United 2 playing with ten for most of the second half.

The 2's return to the Sportsplex at Matthews in a scheduling quirk for their next match on April 3 in MLS NEXT Pro. The SDH Network will have your coverage of ATLUTD2 and MLS NEXT Pro all season long.