Atlanta United 2 fell 1-0 to Indy Eleven on Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium. A goal in the 84th minute gave the home side all three points and snapped ATL UTD 2’s recent road unbeaten streak at three games.
Indy Eleven got off to the better start as Dane Kelly was played through one-on-one with Dylan Castanheira in the third minute, but the Atlanta keeper came out to narrow the angle and saved Kelly’s shot.
ATL UTD 2 found its way into the contest quickly after that and had a good opportunity in the 14th minute to take the lead. Florentin Pogba dribbled the ball into the offensive end and found Jack Metcalf open on the right wing. The captain played a dangerous cross into the box, where Luiz Fernando’s redirect was saved by Jordan Farr. Atlanta had another great buildup play in the 39th minute, when Laurence Wyke played in Gordon Wild on the left wing. The German fired a one-time cross into the box, just a step ahead of an onrushing Patrick Okonkwo at the far post.
Atlanta carried that momentum into the second half. In the 51st minute, Wyke picked off an Indy Eleven pass in midfield and immediately started the transition play. He laid off a ball to an open Laurent Kissiedou on the left wing, but the midfielder’s shot went wide of the net. Substitute Bienvenue Kanakimana had a good look in the 71st minute on a counter attack, but his shot was saved by Farr at the near post.
After being frustrated by a strong Atlanta defense for most of the night, Indy Eleven found the game-winner in the 84th minute. Ayoze Garcia played a through ball into the box finding the run of Tyler Pasher. The leading goal scorer for Indy, squared the ball to an open Alioune Diakhate who scored into the open net.
ATL UTD 2 (3-8-4, 13 points) returns to action Friday, June 28th against Loudon United FC at 7:30 p.m. EST at Audi Field. The match will be streamed live on ESPN+.
