ATL UTD 2 RECAP: wild 4-2 defeat at Cincinnati leads to third straight loss

Atlanta United 2 continues to learn lessons during a tough stretch of matches, as FC Cincinnati defeats the reserves 4-2.

Cincinnati got it going in the 26th minute, as a quick midfield pass found Emmanuel Ledesma and took Atlanta’s backline completely off guard. Ledesma drew Nico Caraux toward him, and was easily able to find Danni Konig on the other side of the box for a simple tap-in.

Cincinnati didn’t take their foot off the gas, as a great dummy pass led to Ledesma taking advantage of a 1-v-1 opportunity against Caraux to make it 2-0 in the 28th minute.

Then suddenly, Jon Gallagher was able to pull one back for Atlanta in the 31st minute after a free kick into the box eventually fell to the Irishman’s feet. The 2018 first round MLS SuperDraft pick notched his fourth goal of the season with Atlanta’s first shot on goal of the match.

An absurd first half continued in the 39th minute, as Cincinnati regained their two-goal lead after Corben Bone’s shot from just inside the box slipped past Caraux for the 3-1 advantage.

Would you be surprised if another goal came just two minutes later? No? You’re smart. 19-year-old Laurent Kissiedou’s fantastic half-volley pulled the Five Stripes within a goal once again.

This ended a scintillating first half at 3-2 and allowed this writer to take a breath.

The second half picked up right where the first left off. Caraux’s attempted pass from Atlanta’s box went straight to the feet of Ledesma, who had no problem finding the back of the net after the unfortunate gaffe in the 46th minute.

This was miraculously somehow the last goal of the match, as the 4-2 result sealed ATL UTD 2’s third consecutive loss.

The Five Stripes conclude their three-match road trip in Ottawa as they take on the Fury next Saturday, May 12 at 2 p.m.

Lineup(3-5-2): Caraux, Ambrose, Cochran, Edwards, Metcalf, Nicklaw, Goslin, Shannon, Kissiedou, Carleton, Gallagher

Goals: Jon Gallagher(31’), Laurent Kissiedou(41’)

Substitutions: Lagos Kunga for Kissiedou(46’), Jose Carranza for Shawn Nicklaw(76’), Devon Sandoval for Chris Goslin(81’)