Atlanta United 2 falls 4-3 to Rio Grande Valley FC | Atlanta United FC

Atlanta United fell 4-3 to Rio Grande Valley FC at Fifth Third Financial institution Stadium Wednesday night time. Captain Robbie Mertz recorded a second-half brace to offer Atlanta a one-goal lead, however RGVFC Toros rallied with a pair of late objectives to steal the three factors.

Rio Grande Valley opened the scoring within the twenty second minute. Defender Wahab Ackwei discovered the run of Emilio Ycaza with an extended ball excessive of Atlanta’s protection. The midfielder touched down the go, bumped into the penalty space and toe-poked a end to Rocco Ríos Novo’s left. 

The guests doubled their benefit 4 minutes later. Isidro Martinez was despatched down the appropriate flank with a free kick earlier than discovering Adolfo Hernandez with a cross-box go. Hernandez opened his physique and swung his proper boot on the close-range scoring alternative, tucking it away contained in the left publish.

Atlanta earned a penalty within the forty fifth minute. Mertz was despatched via by an extended ball from Aiden McFadden earlier than his run was impeded by Toros goalkeeper Tyler Deric. Raimar positioned the ball on the spot, scoring his first ATL UTD 2 purpose with a stutter-step penalty shot.

Early within the second half Mertz discovered the equalizer, half-volleying a left-footed shot into the again of the web from Raimar’s headed cross within the fiftieth minute. The strike was the midfielder’s first purpose of the 2022 season.

The Atlanta captain doubled his purpose tally within the sixty fifth minute and it was Raimar who as soon as once more assisted him. The Brazilian winger was discovered on the left facet of the Toros’ field earlier than sending a ball of his personal to the sting of the six-yard field. Mertz was there with a diving header to take a 3-2 lead for the hosts.

The Texas membership re-established a tie within the 76th minute via Robert Coronado, who netted a one-timer previous Ríos Novo after a one-two change with José Torres.

The duo of Torres and Coronado mixed once more in stoppage time, as the previous’s cross went off the shoulder of the latter for the 4-3 match winner.

ATL UTD 2 (2-9-1, 7 factors) travels to AutoZone Park in Memphis, Tennessee to tackle Memphis 901 on Saturday, June 1 (8:30 p.m., ESPN+). 

Atlanta 3, Rio Grande Valley 4

Pictures on Goal: 7-6 Rio Grande

Nook kicks: 4-1 Rio Grande

Fouls dedicated: 15-14 Atlanta

Possession: 52.1-47.9 Rio Grande

Passing Accuracy: 76.9-75.5 Rio Grande 

SCORING SUMMARY
RGV – Emilio Ycaza 22’ (Wahab Ackwei)
RGV – Adolfo Hernandez 26’ (Isidro Martinez)

ATL – Raimar 45+1’ (penalty)
ATL – Robbie Mertz 50’ (Raimar, David Mejía)
ATL – Robbie Mertz 65’ (Raimar)

RGV – Robert Coronado 77’ (José Torres)

RGV – Robert Coronado 90+1’ (José Torres)

ATL – Efrain Morales 55’ (yellow)
RGV – Jose Francisco Torres 64’ (yellow)

ATL – Raimar 78’ (yellow)

ATL UTD 2 STARTING LINEUP

Rocco Ríos Novo; Aiden McFaden, Efrain Morales, Nelson Orji (Grant Howard – 45+4’); Brendan Lambe, Ajani Fortune, Robbie Mertz ©, Nick Firmino (Jonantan Villal – 81’); David Mejía (Luke Brennan – 81’), Jackson Conway (Tristan Trager – 91’), Raimar. 

Substitutes not used: Dagoberto Romero, Darwin Matheus, Erik Centeno.

RGV FC TOROS STARTING LINEUP

Tyler Deric; Jonathan Ricketts, Wahab Ackwei, Jesús Vázquez, Stefan Mueller; Isidro Martinez, Emilio Ycaza (José Torres – HT), Juan Cabezas ©; Juan Pablo Torres (Robert Coronado – 65’), Duilio Herrera (Ricky Ruiz – 55’), Adolfo Hernández (Frank López – 67’).

Substitutes not used: Javier Garcia, Dylan Borczak,

OFFICIALS
Izlen Peksenar (referee), Artwork Arustamyan (assistant), Kevin Huet (assistant), Aleksander Zhelyazkov (fourth official)

• Raimar information first skilled purpose and help
• Robbie Mertz scores first purpose of the season
• Robbie Mertz information brace
• Rocco Ríos Novo makes ATL UTD 2 return