Atlanta United 2 triumphs in penalty SO against Carolina Core 2(5)-2(4)

Gabriel Wesseh scored a goal and assisted on Moises Tablante’s opener as Atlanta United played Carolina Core to a 2-2 draw at Fifth Third Stadium, before winning the resulting penalty shootout 5-4.

Tablante opened the scoring in the 21st minute with his third goal of the season, a left-footed shot into the top left corner after an assist from Wesseh.

But Carolina Core FC pulled level in the 29th minute, as Drake Hadeed sent a left-footed shot from outside the box to the bottom right corner after a fast break assist from Jacob Evans.

Coming back out after halftime, the 2’s appeared reenergized, and sure enough, Wesseh was able to deflect three defenders to shoot from the outside of the box straight into the bottom left corner in the 48th minute for his first professional goal, giving Atlanta a 2-1 lead.

Carolina Core’s Paul Leonardi, though, drew the visitors level again during a chippy second half, capitalizing on a set-piece assist from Ibrahim Covi to slot a right-footed shot into the bottom left corner from the right side of the penalty area to make it 2-2 with nine minutes to go.

That ultimately led to another penalty shootout, a heated affair that saw five yellow cards shown – including to Javier Armas, who’d received a yellow earlier in the match and will miss the 2’s next outing as a result. That was on top of the six yellow cards brandished in the second half.

But with the teams knotted at 4-4 through five rounds, Patrick Weah scored to open sudden death before Jayden Hibbert saved Leonardi’s attempt to give the 2’s the bonus point.

“I think the first 30 minutes, I thought was some of the best football we played without really getting the goals,” ATL UTD 2 head coach Steve Cooke said. “It must have taken them [Carolina Core] half an hour to even pass where I was on the sideline.”

Wesseh was named man of the match for his goal and assist.

“I think he’s got a really bright future if he allows his abilities to shine, because his abilities without the ball are improved,” Cooke said. “I’m so pleased he got his assist because he’s got more of that and we would like him to take more risks, to be more aggressive…because when he is around the penalty area, he’s absolutely superb.”

And despite giving up a pair of one-goal leads, Atlanta came away with the shootout win.

“The main thing of being a professional is being consistent, getting better each and every game,” defender Nyk Sessock said. “The more consistent you become, people notice that and they’re like ‘maybe this kid deserves a shot’ and then it’s just whether or not you seize that opportunity.”

Academy graduates Cooper Sanchez and Braden Dunham were among the starters for this match, both having recently featured alongside Kaiden Moore on the U-18 squad at last week’s Generation adidas Cup. Moore stepped onto the field in the last five minutes as a left-back, replacing Dunham.

The youngsters’ performance on Wednesday impressed Cooke.

“They’ve got a toughness about them and that’s kind of what I’m looking for,” Cooke said.

Atlanta United 2 will play against FC Cincinnati 2 on Sunday, April 27, at 2 p.m. at Northern Kentucky University Stadium. The 2’s are now on seven points and move to 1-3-2 on the season.