Atlanta United 2 is back in the playoff picture, and the 2s had to sweat for it.
ATL UTD 2 earned a 2-1 victory over Chicago Fire FC II on Tuesday at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground, completing a three-game sweep of Chicago this season and improving to 11-8-4 with 37 points.
Arif Kovac provided the opening goal to tie the existing Atlanta United 2 record for goals in a single season, while Enzo Dovlo added a spectacular second-half finish to give Atlanta the cushion it ultimately needed.
Arif Kovac Matches Atlanta United 2 Scoring Record
Atlanta nearly opened the scoring in the 30th minute when Kovac saw an effort crash off the top of the crossbar.
Just three minutes later, the forward got another opportunity — and this time he made no mistake.
Santiago Pita received a pass from Dominik Chong Qui approximately 20 yards from goal before lofting a first-time ball toward Kovac at the top of the box. Kovac used a clever touch off his right ankle to redirect the ball into the path of Cameron Dunbar.
Dunbar raced toward the goal line before cutting the ball back to Kovac, who finished with a first-time left-footed strike at the near post.
The goal was Kovac’s 16th of the season, tying the existing Atlanta United 2 record for goals in a single campaign.
Enzo Dovlo Gives Atlanta a Two-Goal Cushion
Atlanta didn’t have to wait long to double its advantage.
In the 39th minute, Andrew Jardines found Dovlo on the right wing in the attacking third. Dovlo cut inside, beat two defenders and carried the ball parallel to the top of the box.
Then came the finish.
Dovlo unleashed a left-footed shot that rocketed into the top-left corner, giving Chicago goalkeeper Jason Nemo Jr. little chance.
Atlanta entered halftime with a 2-0 lead after Pita nearly added another from a free kick just before the break. Nemo Jr. was forced into a difficult save, and Dunbar’s follow-up effort was also denied.
RELATED: Atlanta United 2 Signs Academy Midfielder Andrew Jardines Through 2027-28 MLS NEXT Pro Season
Chicago Pushes Back, But Atlanta Holds On
The second half was a completely different challenge.
Chicago spent much of the final 45 minutes pushing Atlanta deeper, registering 10 shots inside the box, five corners and 272 passes. The visitors even hit the post in the 74th minute as they searched for a way back into the match.
That breakthrough finally came deep into stoppage time.
In the second minute of added time, Chicago midfielder Richard Fleming sent a diagonal ball toward Brody Williams, who had been left alone on the right side of the box.
Williams drove forward into a one-on-one situation with Jonathan Ransom and fired across the goalkeeper to cut Atlanta’s advantage to 2-1.
Suddenly, the 2s had a nervous finish on their hands.
Things became even more chaotic in the 93rd minute when Dovlo and Chicago wingback Damian Nigg were both shown straight red cards following an exchange that saw the two players shove each other.
With both teams reduced to 10 players, Atlanta managed to close out the remaining minutes and secure all three points.
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Related AtlantaSoccer.News & Official Stories
- Arif Kovac Continues His Record-Breaking Season for Atlanta United 2
- Atlanta United 2 Signs Academy Midfielder Andrew Jardines Through 2027-28 MLS NEXT Pro Season
- Atlanta Soccer News Homepage & Coverage
What This Means for Atlanta United 2
Tuesday’s victory was more than another win over Chicago.
It moved Atlanta United 2 back into the playoff picture at a critical point of the MLS NEXT Pro season.
The 2s also completed a perfect three-match season series against Chicago, while Kovac continued his pursuit of the club’s all-time single-season scoring record.
Dovlo’s goal was another encouraging sign from a young Atlanta side that continues to develop talent capable of contributing in important moments.
The challenge now is maintaining that momentum.
Atlanta United 2 returns to action Saturday, Aug. 22, when Orlando City B visits Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff. The match will be available on MLSNEXTPro.com, the OneFootball App and Soccer Down Here.
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Can Atlanta United 2 hold onto its playoff position and make a postseason run?
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Author: Quique Lopez
Quique Lopez doesn’t just cover soccer—he deconstructs it with the precision of a veteran and the wit of a storyteller. A former player who sees the pitch as both a tactical chessboard and a cultural stage, Quique balances sharp critiques with a genuine love for the game’s soul. He’s as quick to call out the ego of a superstar as he is to find the hidden beauty in a local derby.