Huntsville, AL – You can’t say our ATL UTD 2 squad doesn’t have fight! Saturday night’s clash against Huntsville City FC was a rollercoaster, but our boys showed incredible resilience, battling back from a two-goal deficit to tie 2-2 and then clinch the extra point in a nail-biting penalty shootout!
Huntsville came out strong, with Jayden Hibbert called into action early, making a fantastic save in the 5th minute. The home side then took the lead in the 20th minute thanks to Jordan Knight, and doubled their advantage just before halftime with a header from Alan Carleton.
But hold up! Just before the whistle blew for the break, the spark ignited! Cayman Togashi teed up the reigning MLS NEXT Pro Rising Star of the Matchweek, Gabriel Wesseh, who unleashed a wicked left-footed strike from 18 yards out, finding the bottom corner to pull one back! That’s how you end a half!
The second half saw relentless pressure from our Young Five Stripes. In the 60th minute, the equalizer arrived in style! Moises Tablante delivered a beautiful chip into the box, finding Togashi, who coolly laid it off to defender Sal Mazzaferro. Mazzaferro made no mistake, slotting it into the open net for his first goal of the 2025 season! The comeback was on!
Nyk Sessock almost snatched a spectacular winner with a stunning half-volley, but it just sailed wide. Huntsville had a late chance, but Hibbert and our defense held strong, sending us to our third consecutive penalty shootout!
And in the shootout? Ice in their veins! Hibbert came up huge with an early save, denying Koffi. Then, Javier Armas, Mazzaferro, Rodrigo Neri, Tablante, and Sessock all stepped up and buried their penalties! Perfect from the spot! ATL UTD 2 takes the extra point in a hard-fought victory!
Atlanta United 2 (1-2-5, 10 points) is back home on Sunday, May 18, hosting Crown Legacy FC at Fifth Third Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ET. You can catch the action on MLSNEXTPro.com, and some matches are also on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
Penalty Shootout Heroes:
Huntsville City FC
Christian Koffi – ❌
Real Gill – ✅
Ethan O’Brien – ✅
Zach Barnett – ✅
Blake Bowen – ✅
Atlanta United 2
Javier Armas – ✅
Sal Mazzaferro – ✅
Rodrigo Neri – ✅
Moises Tablante – ✅
Nyk Sessock – ✅
What a comeback! What a win! Let’s go, ATL UTD 2!
