Photo: Ben Ross

In an even match that showed no serious compactness by either defensive shape from the opening tap, Atlanta United 2’s Brazilian attacking midfielder Nick Firmino used his excellent sense of timing and quality of delivery to create a scoring opportunity in the 40th minute that teammate Karim Tmimi struck  from 15 yards out, giving Union II goalkeeper Andrew Rick no chance to stop.

Atlanta United 2 won 1-0.

In advance

In addition to usual loanees Anton Sorenson and Nelson Pierre, Union II received three first-teamers who may not be rostered to the first team’s CCL semifinal match Tuesday against LAFC. There is insufficient recovery time between Sunday evening and Tuesday evening for anyone other than a goalkeeper to serve in both matches, and CCL gameday rosters number up to 23, not 20. As well, the first team may be leaving for Los Angeles Monday morning before Union II return from Georgia (right center back Brandan Craig, defensive midfielder Richard Odada, and striker Jeremy Rafanello started against Atlanta 2 while Sorenson and Pierre began on the bench).

Because Brooks Thompson suffered an unknown injury during warmups for the Toronto match last week, Union II received extra U-17 help as well. Andrew Rick was in goal, while David Vazquez and C. J. Olney were the attacking midfielders.

Atlanta United 2 had two home wins going into the contest and lay eighth in the conference table on seven points. Brazilian midfielder Nick Firmino, jersey number 8, has dominated Atlanta 2’s scoring leading the entire league with five. Usually they have had between three and five first-team rostered players on the pitch. Two probable starters were out injured, defender Tyler Young and midfielder Jonantan Villal.

Atlanta United 2’s twitter account refers to Fifth Third Bank Stadium at Kennesaw State as “the Fraction.”

First half

Both teams played for long balls to strikers and wingers from the get go. At first Union II easily caught Atlanta offside. Rick had to make at least three or four plays well beyond his penalty box. The real threat was Firmino making runs from any one of the three attacking midfield positions of the Five Stripes 4-2-3-1 shape. He has excellent pace and a good understanding of staying onside to then outrun defensive midfielders and center backs.

Philadelphia also played for fast strikes down the middle and on the flanks, but did not have an offensive threat of the quality of Firmino. Atlanta’s central defensive four were noticeably older and exhibited the closest thing to compact defending to be found in the match. Union II finishing did not display the equivalent of Firmino’s quality.

The boys in Blue had several more shots than Atlanta and two or three strong opportunities but nothing to show for them.

Second half

If the first half saw little defensive compactness, the second became downright spread out and end to end.

Pedro Alvarez seemed to have been tasked with being the defensive midfielder assigned to stop Atlanta’s runs out of the midfield, and once Union II fell behind, he was replaced at half time by Maike Villero who played with much greater offensive range and intent.

At the 60th minute coach Marlon Leblanc made three substitutions for fresh legs, bringing on Stefan Stojanovic for David Vazquez at attacking mid, Boubacar Diallo for Richard Odada at defensive mid, and Nelson Pierre for Jose Riasco at striker, partly to protect Riasco from a second yellow card. There was plenty of hard work and some scoring chances, but none were taken with sufficient quality to force saves that were not routine for a competent goalkeeper.

In the 78th minute Stojanovic had a step on the Atlanta defense deep in the box on the right side but failed to see that Olney had 15 yards of free space in the center inside the top of the “D”. That was Union II’s best 2nd half chance to score.

The difference in the match came down to Firmino’s moment of quality.

Next Match

Union II next play away to New York Red Bull II Sunday, May 7 at 7:00 pm, the day after the first team plays there.

Three points

1. David Vazquez again made it clear that he belonged on an MLS NEXT Pro pitch. His minutes should pay off for the U-17s in the MLS NEXT Flex tournament in mid may and at MLS NEXT Cup in June where he will have an opportunity to become a match dominator.
2. Jose Riasco is taller and stronger this year. He is no longer a rag doll to be tossed about by opposing defenders. He needs Connor Casey to visit to teach him how to use his new size and strength without being called for fouls.
3. Anton Sorenson dressed but did not play. It is the first time since June 1, 2016 that a first-team player has dressed for a second team game and received not a single minute of playing time.

BOXSCORE

Union II Lineup – 4-2-2-2, L-R: Starters: Andrew Rick; Juan Castillo, Gino Portella, Brandan Craig, Francis Westfield; Richard Odada (Boubacar Diallo 60′), Pedro Alvarez (Maike Villero HT);  C. J. Olney, David Vazquez (Stefan Stojanovic 60′); Jeremy Rafanello (Alex Perez 83′), Jose Riasco (Nelson Pierre 60′). Unused substitutes: Brooks Thompson; Luke Martelli, Anton Sorenson, Luciano Sanchez, .  1^st – 5, U II – 8, Acad – 7. Injured: Hugo Le Guennec.

Starters’ ages

Atlanta 2 Lineup – 4-2-3-1, L-R: Starters: Vicente Reyes; Efrain Morales, Kofi Twumasi, Noah Cobb, Aidan McFadden; Erik Centeno, Toni Tiente; Shawn Lanza, Nick Firmino, Luke Brennan; Karim Tmimi, Unused substitutes: Sebastian Guerra; Fuad Adeniyi, Mathieu Brick, Raimar, Nelson Orji, Alan Carleton,  David Mejia, Emenike Nwogu. Injured: Justin Garces, Tyler Young, Jonantan Villal

Goals

A 2       40th minute      Karim Tmimi (Nicolas Firmino)

Cards

U II      31st minute      Yellow      Jose Riasco (foul)

A 2       31st minute      Yellow      Aidan McFadden (foul)

U II      44th minute    Yellow      Francis Westfield (foul)

U II      55th minute     Yellow      Maike Villero (foul)

U II      59th minute     Yellow      Richard Odada (foul)

U II      70th minute     Yellow      Gino Portella (foul)

A 2       86th minute     Yellow      Luke Brennan (time-wasting)

Stats

Whistle

Ref: Luis Guardia, AR¹: Marcus Moss, AR²: Albert Escovar, 4^TH: Joshua Belk.