Atlanta United 2 Draws 2-2 with Columbus Crew 2; Claims Extra Point in 4-3 Shootout Victory | Atlanta United 2

Atlanta United 2 claimed two points after a shootout victory over Columbus Crew 2 on Sunday night at Fifth Third Stadium. The match ended in a 2-2 draw through 90 minutes, with Matías Gallardo and Dominik Chong Qui finding the back of the net. Goalkeeper Jayden Hibbert made four saves in regulation and stopped the first two penalties in the shootout.

Columbus was active early in the match, getting a one-on-one chance with Hibbert at close range in the sixth minute, but the Jamaican keeper was able to read the play and knock away the shot. The visitors were able to break through in the 14th minute after Crew midfielder Adrian Gonzales won a duel just beyond midfield, flicking a through ball around Atlanta’s backline to Jayden Da to the right flank, who cut in and slotted a shot to the back post for an early 1-0 lead.

The Crew stayed active in the second half, as Da broke through for another one-on-one chance in the 50th minute, but Hibbert reacted swiftly to keep the scoreline at 1-0. ATL UTD 2 found a chance of their own as Chong Qui dribbled around his defender on the left side before centering a cross to the back post that was knocked out to Erik Centeno, who wound up for a powerful strike that forced the keeper to make a save.

Atlanta equalized in the 79th minute after centerback Ethan Dudley carried the ball through the midfield, finding Gallardo on the right wing before cutting just inside the 18-yard box to curl a left-footed shot that ricocheted off the back post and into the net.