Weah’s Breakout Night Powers Atlanta to Victory

Atlanta United 2 capped off an undefeated week at Fifth Third Stadium with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Columbus Crew 2 on Sunday night. Forward Patrick Weah led the way with his first two goals of the season, while Rodrigo Neri opened the scoring after a weather delay added drama to an already intense night at the Proving Ground.

Cooper Sanchez battles for position in the first half. (Photo: Will Gallagher for the SDH Network)

The match kicked off 30 minutes late due to lightning in the area and immediately took on a frantic pace. Atlanta's Javier Armas was shown a red card in the 10th minute for a foul, but after a brief conference among the officials, the decision was reduced to a yellow. Atlanta soon found its rhythm and began to control possession, though the first half ended scoreless.

Atlanta’s breakthrough came early in the second half, and it started with the press. Armas intercepted a pass from Columbus goalkeeper Luke Pruter in the 56th minute and quickly redirected the ball to Neri, who calmly chipped it into an open net to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.

Columbus answered six minutes later in bizarre fashion. After a short corner routine, Quinton Elliot’s looping cross to the back post missed everyone—including his own teammates—and found its way untouched into the far side of the net to level the match.

The visitors’ momentum didn’t last long. Just moments after the restart, Crew defender Dylan Randazzo was shown a second yellow card and sent off, putting Atlanta up a man for the final stretch.

Weah, who came on in the 68th minute for Neri, made an immediate impact. Five minutes after his introduction, he brought down a diagonal ball from Ronan Wynne, drove into the penalty area, and was taken down from behind. Armas initially stepped up to take the penalty but deferred to Weah, who confidently converted to put Atlanta back in front.

"Just big thanks to Javi, he's such a great guy," Weah said when asked about the penalty. "Giving me that confidence... after that goal, I was buzzing."

Weah wasn’t done. In the 82nd minute, Cooper Sanchez sliced through the left side of the Crew defense and found Ryan Carmichael wide, who fired in a low cross that Weah met with a clinical one-time finish to make it 3-1.

Columbus managed to pull one back in stoppage time, but Atlanta held firm to secure the 3-2 win.

"It's about kicking on and doing it again and again, and again, because there's no doubt in my mind. They've got the ability to be champions this year. I think they've got the ability to go on a big, big run," said head coach Steve Cooke. "And now it's about getting it done."

With the victory, Atlanta United 2 moves within five points of a playoff spot in the MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference and still holds two games in hand. The team will be back in action on Saturday night with a road trip to face Carolina Core FC in High Point.