Atlanta United 2 managed a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Chattanooga FC in regulation, but they fell 4-3 in the ensuing penalty shootout.
The 2’s goals both came from Rodrigo Neri in the second half after initially falling behind due to an Efrain Morales own goal in the 64th minute.
Neri, who joined the 2’s in the summer of 2024, was the player of the match. Neri scored a brace after being subbed in during the second half of the game. His first goal came in the 78th minute with a left-footed shot into the bottom corner after a pass from Cayman Togashi during a torrential downpour.
“At first I was asking for the ball to my feet from Ryan, and then he crossed it. As soon as I turned, I saw Cayman looking back, so I knew it had to be me,” said Neri. “Of course, I am super happy for the two goals, and it is what a striker needs. It is more so, keep working. Being humble. Looking at the reality that we need to get that first win, and we need to keep improving each day in training.”
After being signed from Valencia CF’s U19 squad, Neri has netted 7 goals in 13 appearances for the U.S. Youth National Teams. During his time at Atlanta United 2, he’s scored 5 goals and had 13 shots on target.
“Yeah, when he first came in, I think he came in with an attitude of a big time player from Europe thinking he was just going to walk in and come into America and show us all how to play futbol,” said head coach Steve Cooke. “Now I think he’s got a much better head on his shoulders. He is the first in the morning, he is one of the last to leave. I think he is probably the most improved player, for sure in the group. I am so pleased for him getting the two goals.”
After Chattanooga went ahead 2-1 in the 86th minute, Neri netted his second to save the draw in stoppage time, with Togashi earning another assist. His introduction to the pitch in the second half changed the dynamic for the 2’s, who’d still had a strong showing in the first half.
The team is using multiple players to captain the team throughout the season, including Javier Armas, Salvatore Mazzaferro and Nykolas Sessock. In essence, Cooke’s 2’s are a team where a handful of players can drop in as the de facto leader instead of focusing on one particular player.
“We have several leaders in the group…I don’t believe the armband is that person all the time,” said Cooke. “When you look at Javi Armas he exemplifies that. And when you look at Sal last week, who played absolutely brilliantly, it obviously raises his level of his game and gives him that feeling of expectancy, and I thought Nyk was the same today.”
Another player drawing attention early in the season is Ryan Carmichael, a forward from Northern Ireland, who was signed from Inter Miami II in 2025. During his year at Inter Miami, Carmichael scored nine goals in 25 appearances. During the match against the 2’s, Carmichael had two shots on goal alongside an applaudable 5 chances created, but the main obstacle for all of the 2’s of being more clinical in front of goal remains. This match alone saw the 2’s take 24 shots, with 10 on target.
“I think both of us had a couple of good chances, and in the second half, I think we had a lot more of the ball and probably a bit more of the momentum, but they still created a couple of good chances,” said Cooke. “I thought some sloppy play of our own got us in that position in the first place.”
The game ended in a penalty shootout, including goals from Noah Cobb, Neri and Armas for the 2’s. The match was very similar to the one down in Orlando earlier this month, with goals in the final minutes leading up to a penalty shootout. The 4-3 result in spot kicks saw Atlanta leave the showdown with another point on the evening.
The 2’s will return next week against Inter Miami II at 7:30 p.m. in Fifth Third Stadium. Currently, Atlanta United 2 is ranked 11th in the East, and Inter Miami II is sitting in 8th.