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Matchday Report: Atlanta Strikes Five to End Tulsa’s Undefeated Start

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 05/19/21, 9:32PM EDT

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McFadden scored twice as hosts reeled off four goals to close first half in home opener win

KENNESAW, Ga. – Atlanta United 2 rattled off a run of four goals in 11 minutes to end the first half on its way to a 5-0 victory against FC Tulsa on Wednesday night at Fifth Third Bank Stadium, snapping Tulsa’s three-game winning streak to open the 2021 USL Championship season.

The two sides exchanged chances in the opening 10 minutes, while Atlanta’s Matias Benitez fired high in the 17th minute, but then the hosts took control of the game with a remarkable flurry of finishes to close the first half. Chris Allan notched the first 11 minutes before the break after Mikey Ambrose’s free kick from 25 yards hit the crossbar and came back out, sitting up nicely for Allan to head in the rebound.

Aiden McFadden then struck twice in the space of four minutes, first flicking a ball upfield on for Connor Stanley down the right before breaking forward toward the penalty area. Stanley – on loan from Manchester United – got to the byline and cut back a cross that found McFadden’s run for a low finish. McFadden then headed home a cross from the left by Ambrose for his second, and Atlanta’s third goal in five minutes.

Tulsa almost hit back in the 41st minute as Rodrigo Da Costa hit the crossbar with a curling finish from the top of the penalty area, but Atlanta wrapped up its run in the final minute before the break as Tyler Wolff recorded his second goal in as many games, putting home a left-footed finish into the right corner of the net.

The visitors hit the woodwork a second time early in the second half as substitute Marlon headed a finish off the right post before the Atlanta defense was able to clear, and then a third when Matthew Sheldon was able to control in the penalty area but stabbed his finish off the crossbar as Atlanta goalkeeper Ben Lundgaard tried to close him down.

Tulsa was reduced to 10 men with 22 minutes to go as Jorge Corrales was sent off for his second yellow card of the game, and soon after Atlanta’s Coleman Gannon forced a low save from Tulsa goalkeeper Sean Lewis before Stanley fired wide on the rebound. Atlanta completed the rout with 10 minutes to go, however, as Gannon ran onto a through-ball by William Reilly before lifting his finish into the net.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Aiden McFadden, Atlanta United 2 – McFadden scored twice and completed 36 of 45 passes to highlight an outstanding team performance by Atlanta in its home opener.

Scoring Summary
ATL
– Chris Allan 34’
ATL – Aiden McFadden (Connor Stanley) 36’
ATL – Aiden McFadden (Mikey Ambrose) 39’
ATL – Tyler Wolff (Darwin Matheus) 45’
ATL – Coleman Gannon (William Reilly) 80’

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