Atlanta United vs. Seattle Sounders, 2017 Carolina Challenge Cup: Final score 4-2, Preseason shenanigans galore

Atlanta United continued their preseason preparations with a fun 4-2 victory over a second-choice Seattle Sounders lineup on Wednesday night at MUSC Health Stadium in Charleston, SC. Three first half goals set the tone for Atlanta and they didn’t let up through the sixty minutes, taking care of business against a weaker lineup. A late onslaught from the Sounders’ first-team would make the scoreline a little respectable, but the damage was already done.

The first half began as best as it possibly could have for United as they took the lead in the first minute after Josef Martinez intercepted a horrid backpass, walked in on goal, rounded the goalkeeper and finished his third goal in as many games in the preseason.

Seattle’s reserves didn’t help themselves much two minutes later when Julian Gressel was hauled down in the box to give Atlanta its first penalty kick of the preseason. Miguel Almiron stepped up and struck a confident shot to his left that the keeper guessed correctly on but couldn’t stop.

United’s high pressure once again baffled their opponent and it resulted in an early lead. Unlike against Columbus, they continued to dominate the first half and found a third goal thanks to Tito Villalba. A lightning quick break turned into a three-on-one chance with Tito on the ball racing down the right. He had two options to pass to, but confidently took the shot and scored.

More of the same occurred to begin the second half when Martinez notched his second goal of the game just a couple of minutes in. He found his way in on goal and chipped the goalkeeper brilliantly to make it 4-0.

After the hour mark, both teams made wholesale changes and Seattle capitalized by scoring. I have no idea how they scored as the stream I was watching froze. Let’s just pretend it was an amazing goal that no one could stop so we feel good about ourselves.

Soon after, Gressel was sent off for a soft second yellow card and the Sounders brought on their first-string players to make the match interesting.

With 15 minutes remaining, the Sounders pulled another goal back to make it 4-2 when Will Bruin got on the end of a cross and headed past Kann. Video Assistant Review took a look at the goal, but it stood.

The Rave Green continued to press up a man but couldn’t find a third goal to add pressure on Atlanta.

Lineups:

ATL: Kann; Mears, Parkhurst, Gonzalez Pirez, Garza; Larentowicz, Gressel; Asad, Almiron, Villalba; Martinez

SEA: Meredith; Griffith, Barnes, Alfaro, Ja. Morris; Delem, Mathers; Wingo, Shipp, Olsen; Adekoya

Goals:

ATL: Martinez 1’ 48’, Almiron 3’ Villalba 21’

SEA: Wingo 62’ Bruin 75’