Carolina Calling: Atlanta United 2 seeks first points of the season on Sunday

by Madison Crews

Atlanta United 2 welcomes newcomer Carolina Core FC to Fifth Third Stadium Sunday at 3:00pm.

This is Carolina Core's inaugural season in MLS Next Pro, and they started their season earning two points on the road against Crown Legacy FC, scoring a late equalizer then winning the shootout for a bonus point in the standings. The club also recorded their first win in club history on Thursday after they beat Northern Virginia FC 3-2 in the Open Cup.

Atlanta United 2 is searching for their first win of the season after losing their season opener 3-2 against Orlando City B.

“There was frustration, but we have to switch this frustration to motivation,” Karim Tmimi said when asked about the team’s reaction to the loss against Orlando City B. “The past is the past, and you cannot change what happened, but you can change what is going to present to you in the future.”

The 2's will also have to deal with a few players not having a lot of time with the squad because some who played last week could be called up to the first team this weekend. Players like Thiago Almada, Giorgos Giakoumakis, and Caleb Wiley are on national team duty which opens up room for players to step up.

“It’s going to be more of a physical game, and they are a bit older than the teams we are used to. They also have more experience, but I think we are ready for it,” said Erik Centeno. “In preseason, we played similar teams that are older and more physical, so I think we are ready.”

The pregame show, hosted by Madison Crews and Jon Nelson, will start at 2:30pm on Sunday on the SDH Network at www.soccerdownhere.mixlr.com, and Jason Longshore will have the call at 3:00pm.

(Centeno photo courtesy of Sofia Cupertino)