Atlanta United 2’s second-half quality too much for Huntsville City

Luke Brennan's go-ahead goal and Liam Butts' second of the night highlighted a dominant final 45 minutes for Atlanta in Athens.

The 2's had plenty to celebrate in Athens tonight. (photo: Sofia Cupertino for the SDH Network)

Atlanta United 2 continued its strong start to the 2026 season with a 3-1 win over Huntsville City in Athens, moving to 2-0-1 on the year. Liam Butts scored twice, once in each half, while Luke Brennan added the go-ahead goal in a dominant second-half performance. Cameron Dunbar and Dominik Chong Qui both finished with two assists as Atlanta’s attacking pressure eventually wore Huntsville down.

It was the visitors who struck first in the 14th minute, despite Atlanta creating the better early chances. A long ball sent Shak Mohammed in behind the back line, and while Toto Majub recovered to block the initial shot, the loose ball fell to Leo Christiano at the top of the arc. The Huntsville captain calmly slotted his finish into the far side netting to give the visitors a 1-0 lead against the run of play.

Atlanta found its response 12 minutes later. Good combination play down the right from Brennan and Daniel Chica opened the door for Adrian Gill to get into the box, and his cutback toward the penalty spot found Dunbar. Dunbar’s first-time low shot was redirected wide, but Butts reacted quickly and showed real composure, using a clever left-footed flick to beat Will Mackay and pull Atlanta level.

Huntsville still had its moments before halftime and forced an important save from Jonathan Ransom at the near post to keep the match even. Atlanta took an 8-7 edge in shots into the break, but the game still felt very much up for grabs.

The second half changed that.

Atlanta came out flying after the restart. Dunbar won an early penalty, but Mackay guessed correctly and made a diving save on Santiago Pita’s attempt. Instead of slowing Atlanta down, it only seemed to sharpen the pressure.

Brennan gave the 2's the lead they never relinquished. (photo: Sofia Cupertino for the SDH Network)

The breakthrough came in the 57th minute, and it started with the kind of defensive aggression that has become a theme for this group. Adyn Torres, on at halftime for the returning Jay Fortune, stepped in to intercept a Huntsville clearance and quickly moved the ball into the attack. Chong Qui carried the move forward, and Brennan finished it with a low driven shot past Mackay to make it 2-1.

Five minutes later, Atlanta struck again.

Chong Qui helped ignite the move, Dunbar drove forward on the left, and his low cross to the back post found Butts in stride for a simple finish and his second goal of the night. At that point, Atlanta’s tempo, pressure, and directness were overwhelming Huntsville.

Enzo Dovlo added the exclamation point in the 86th minute, scoring his first professional goal with a low curling finish inside the near post from the top of the box. Arif Kovac picked up the assist, his first of the season.

Enzo Dovlo celebrating his first professional goal. (photo: Sofia Cupertino for the SDH Network)

The final score reflected what the second half looked like. Atlanta United 2 outshot Huntsville 11-6 after the break and controlled the game with relentless defensive pressure and quick vertical play once possession turned. This team continues to show real bite when it can turn turnovers into attacks, and Sunday night was another example of how dangerous it can be when the intensity rises.

More to come this week on the SDH Network as the 2’s get ready for the trip up I-85 to face Crown Legacy next Sunday night.