Atlanta United 2 Suffers Setback Against Philadelphia Union II: A Night of Missed Opportunities
CHESTER, PA. (April 10, 2025) – In a disappointing performance on the road, Atlanta United 2 faced a daunting defeat, falling 5-1 to Philadelphia Union II at Subaru Park. Despite an inspiring comeback from Javier Armas, who scored his first goal of the season in the 85th minute, the night was marked by missed chances and defensive lapses for Atlanta.
First Half: A Game of Missed Opportunities
The match kicked off with Atlanta United 2 eager to showcase their skills. Their first chance came in the third minute when Armas beautifully intercepted the ball in his own half. Chipping the backline toward Ryan Carmichael, it looked promising as Carmichael raced downfield, only to be thwarted by the quick instincts of Union goalkeeper Oliver Semmle.
Cayman Togashi attempted to capitalize on the rebound, but unfortunately, his shot drifted wide, resulting in a goal kick.
Union Breaks the Deadlock
The game’s momentum shifted in the 21st minute when David Vazquez found space on the left wing. His chip into the box met towering striker Stas Korzeniowski, who soared above the Atlanta defense to send a looping header over goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert. This marked the beginning of a challenging night for Atlanta’s backline.
Desperate to reply, Atlanta nearly found an equalizer through Togashi. A deep cross from Nyk Sessock reached Rodrigo Neri, whose quick touch at the edge of the 18-yard box set up Togashi for a shot. But Semmle was again up to the task, pushing the ball wide and denying the visitors any reprieve.
A Tough Second Half
As the teams reconvened for the second half, Atlanta’s situation worsened when Dominik Chong Qui received a second yellow card in the 55th minute, leaving his team to battle with just ten players for the remaining 35 minutes.
Despite being a man down, they pressed for a goal, but Togashi found himself harried by defenders and unable to get a clean shot off. The toll of the match soon began to show as Philadelphia seized the advantage.
In a whirlwind six-minute span, the Union struck three times through CJ Olney, Nick Pariano, and Kellen LeBlanc, effectively sealing Atlanta’s fate and pushing the scoreline to a crushing 5-0.
A Glimmer of Hope: Armas Steps Up
Just when it seemed all hope was lost, Atlanta managed to ignite a spark in the 85th minute. Substitute Patrick Weah made an immediate impact by receiving a through ball on the left and evading his defender, earning a penalty kick after being brought down inside the box.
Javier Armas, the returning hero, stepped up to take the kick. With precision and poise, he sent Semmle the wrong way, finishing low into the right corner. This goal, although too late to change the outcome, provided a much-needed lift for the team’s morale.
Looking Ahead: Next Matchup for Atlanta United 2
With their record now standing at 1-2-2 and retaining only 5 points in the standings, Atlanta United 2 will look to regroup and refresh as they prepare for their upcoming match against Carolina Core FC on Wednesday, April 23, at Fifth Third Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, and fans can catch the action via the MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app or through MLSNEXTPro.com.
This match will be critical for Atlanta as they aim to bounce back and reclaim their footing in the league. Only time will tell if they can shake off this setback and rise to the challenge ahead.
