HIGH POINT, N.C. (July 19, 2025) — After a 95-minute weather delay and a hard-fought battle on the road, Atlanta United 2 earned a 1-1 draw against Carolina Core FC on Saturday night. However, the home side claimed the extra point in the post-match penalty shootout, edging ATL UTD 2 after six rounds.
Captain Javier Armas delivered the equalizer in dramatic fashion, scoring his third goal of the season in the final minute of regulation to force the shootout. Despite the late surge, Adyn Torres’ penalty was saved to seal the result in Carolina’s favor.
Atlanta came out aggressive, nearly scoring inside the first minute after Ryan Carmichael set up Patrick Weah, who fired just wide. However, Carolina struck first in the 4th minute when Facundo Canete headed in a corner from Glory Nzingo.
The 2s nearly answered in the 9th as Nyk Sessock rounded the keeper but hit the outside post. Tragedy struck in the 35th minute when Anthony Sumo Jr. was shown a straight red card for a dangerous challenge on Sessock, who was forced to exit the match.
Atlanta kept pressing in the second half and was rewarded in stoppage time. Adyn Torres’ deflected effort fell to Armas, who curled home the equalizer with a brilliant strike into the upper corner.
Goalkeeper Jonathan Ransom, making a key stop in the 67th minute, helped keep Atlanta alive, but the side couldn’t claim the extra point in penalties.
Atlanta United 2 (3-5-8, 19 pts) continues its four-game road trip on Wednesday, July 30, with a visit to New England Revolution II at Gillette Stadium. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. ET, streaming live on MLS Season Pass and MLSNEXTPro.com.
