The margin was tight, but Atlanta didn’t really show any overwhelming threats until very late.
ATL UTD 2 lost its second match in a row on Saturday night, falling 1-0 at the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Despite the margin, this one could have had a few more Riverhounds goals in it as shaky passing and mistimed balls kept Atlanta from making much of an impact on the match.
Pittsburgh came inches away from making it 1-0 in the opening 15 minutes if not for an absolute sitter missed by Christiano Francois. In the 26th minute, though, Francois made up for it by stealing the ball from Andrew Kendall-Moullin in the box and feeding it to Neco Brett for the opening goal, Brett’s fourth of the season. ATL UTD 2 were fortunate to not be down 2-0 or more heading into the break as the Riverhounds had better of the play and benefited from sloppy passing from Atlanta, despite the visitors enjoying an edge in possession.
It remained 1-0 deep into the second half with Atlanta getting just a few clear-cut, convincing chances against the Pittsburgh defense. They had a couple of opportunities to level it in stoppage time despite Miles Robinson being sent off on his second yellow card in the 81st. The best of those chances came in the third minute of added time, but the ball glanced off the foot of Jon Gallagher in front of goal and into the arms of Pittsburgh keeper Kyle Morton. A couple of minutes later, Laurent Kissiedou found himself with the ball at the top of the box, but misfired on what would be the final touch of the match.
ATL UTD 2 have a week off before heading up to face FC Cincinnati. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Nippert Stadium.
ATL UTD 2 Starting XI: Paul Christensen, Mikey Ambrose, A.J. Cochran, Miles Robinson, Jack Metcalf (C), Andrew Kendall-Moullin, Ollie Shannon, Andrew Carleton, Chris Goslin, Jon Gallagher, Devon Sandoval
Bench: Nico Caraux, Kevin Barajas, Jose Carranza, Jackson Conway, Laurent Kissiedou, Lagos Kunga, Shawn Nicklaw
Substitutions: Kunga 53’ (Goslin); Kissedou 89’ (Carleton)
