Atlanta United 2 earned the Team of Matchday 26 honor after they battled to maintain their playoff hopes alive with a thrilling last-minute victory over Huntsville City FC.
Steve Cooke’s side needed a win to stay in the hunt for a playoff spot after both Chicago Fire II and Philadelphia Union II earned positive results over the weekend.
The opening minutes of the game saw both sides unable to create much offense. It wouldn’t be until the last minutes of the first half that Huntsville City FC took the lead when Joey Skinner split between a couple of Atlanta United 2 defenders and launched a shot that squeezed through into goal.
Atlanta United 2 quickly responded after the break when Machop Chol scored on a low rolling shot in the 49th minute, leveling the score. After the equalizer, Huntsville City FC came close to regaining the lead, with one shot bouncing off the left post in the 51st minute and another being blocked at the goal line by Toni Tiente in the 77th minute.
With the hopes of a victory fading, the pivotal moment for Atlanta United 2 arrived in the 96th minute. Atlanta United 2 forward Karim Tmimi delivered a precise looping cross into the Huntsville City FC box that Jackson Conway flicked into the back of the net. The late goal secured their first road victory of the season for Atlanta United 2 and kept their playoff aspirations alive.
With only two regular-season matches remaining, Atlanta United 2's win on Matchday 26 has kept them in the Eastern Conference playoff race. However, to clinch the final playoff spot, they'll need to secure victories in their remaining games and hope for favorable outcomes from other teams.
Atlanta United 2 will return home to face Inter Miami II during Matchday 27 action on Sunday, September 17th at 7:30 PM ET. You can catch all the MLS NEXT Pro action on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
