Atlanta United 2 played to a 1-1 draw against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC Saturday night at Highmark Stadium. Wesly Decas scored a late equalizer to split the points as Atlanta extended its club record unbeaten streak to six matches.
The first half presented a back-and-forth battle with neither side producing much of a goalscoring opportunity until Pittsburgh’s Neco Brett drew a penalty just seconds before the halftime whistle. Brett took the ensuing attempt and slotted it into the bottom right corner to put the Riverhounds up 1-0 at the break.
Atlanta took control of the match in the second half and pushed for the equalizer. Luiz Fernando nearly leveled the score in the 52nd minute when he had his left-footed attempt from outside the 18-yard box loop just over cross bar. In the 76th minute, Mikey Ambrose sent a free kick from the right side to the back post where George Campbell had his header rattle the bar and go out for a goal kick.
ATL UTD 2 finally broke through in the 87th minute. Ambrose delivered a free kick from left side to the edge of the six-yard box where Decas headed it into the right side of the net for his first professional goal. It was Ambrose’s second assist of the season.
With the draw, Atlanta was officially eliminated from playoff contention. ATL UTD 2 (8-16-8, 32 points) returns to action Wednesday, Oct. 9 against Bethlehem Steel FC at 7:30 p.m. EST at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. The match will be streamed live on ESPN+.
