ATL Standard

Atlanta United 2 returns to action in a midweek battle against division opponent Crown Legacy FC on Thursday night, Sept. 19 at Sportsplex at Matthews. The match is slated to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET and will be streamed on MLSNEXTPro.com. Fans can also tune in to the Soccer Down Here audio stream.

Crown Legacy FC enters the match sitting in eighth place in the MLS NEXT Pro Eastern Conference standings with 40 points (10-9-6 record). With the Charlotte FC affiliate holding on to the final playoff spot and ATL UTD 2 needing to pick up crucial points in the final three matchdays, each side will look to come out strong for what could be a decisive contest. Crown Legacy FC midfielder and Academy standout Aron John has led the charge for the North Carolina side this season, leading the squad in goals (eight), assists (10), shots (34) and shots on target (20) through 23 matches played.

ATL UTD 2 is coming off a 6-3 home loss to Huntsville City FC on Sunday afternoon. After falling behind 4-0 in the first half, Atlanta mounted a comeback attempt that began with Noble Okello netting a goal just before the break from a shot outside the box. Karim Tmimi opened the second period with a goal of his own after following up a shot attempt from Luke Brennan that was saved by the keeper. In the 81st minute, Jamaican forward Ashton Gordon brought the match within one goal after getting on the end of a cross to the back post, hitting a left-foot volley for his second goal of the season. Huntsville City answered with a long-range goal in the 85th minute and a penalty three minutes later to put the match out of reach.

Atlanta United 2 holds a 1-4-0 (W-L-D) all-time record against Crown Legacy FC. The last matchup between the two sides ended in a 2-1 victory for Crown Legacy at Sportsplex at Matthews on July 21. Midfielder Nick Firmino bagged Atlanta’s lone goal.