Weah Scores, Pita Records First Assist
Atlanta United 2 suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Orlando City B on Saturday night in the teams’ third and final meeting of the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro season.
Patrick Weah continued his hot streak, recording his fourth goal contribution in four games, while Santiago Pita notched his first professional assist.
A Physical First Half
The match started with plenty of intensity but few chances. Orlando and Atlanta battled physically in midfield, keeping most of the action between the boxes.
Atlanta’s best chance of the first half came in the 12th minute when Toto Majub delivered a pinpoint long ball to Weah in the box, but his header sailed over the bar. The teams went into halftime scoreless.
Goals Come Quickly After the Break
Atlanta struck first just three minutes into the second half. DD Sibrian won possession in midfield and found Pita, who drove into the box before delivering a curling outside-foot cross. Weah met it in stride and tapped home the opener in the 48th minute.
Orlando responded almost immediately. In the 53rd minute, Colin Guske pounced on a turnover and played Thalles through on the right. The forward cut inside the box and buried his shot at the far post to level the match at 1-1.
Stoppage-Time Heartbreak
The physical edge never faded. Majub received a yellow card in the 56th minute, earning a suspension for Atlanta’s next match.
Substitute Moises Tablante nearly restored the lead in the 69th, dispossessing an Orlando defender and firing from the left side, but goalkeeper Carlos Mercado made a strong save.
Just when it seemed both sides would settle for a draw, disaster struck. In the final minute of stoppage time, a long ball dropped between Jonathan Ransom and Ronan Wynne, neither stepping in to clear. Orlando’s Shak Mohammed capitalized, slipping past the pair and finishing to seal a dramatic 2-1 win for the hosts.
What’s Next
Atlanta United 2 (5-8-8, 25 points) returns to action on Wednesday, Aug. 27, hosting Inter Miami CF II at Fifth Third Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass, Soccer Down Here).
