HARTFORD, Conn. – Nicolas Firmino scored both goals as Atlanta United 2 spoiled Hartford Athletic’s home opener with a 2-1 victory at Trinity Health Stadium, giving the visitors their second victory in a row after a slow start to the campaign.

The hosts produced the first good effort on goal as Conor McGlynn fired from 25 yards to force a one-handed save by Atlanta’s Justin Garces, and the visiting goalkeeper had to make another save on Juan Carlos Obregon Jr. in the 16th minute that he momentarily mishandled before it hit the inside of the left post and he was able to recover. Obregon also tested Garces again in the 33rd minute as he cut onto his right foot in the left side of the penalty area for a far-post shot that was parried to safety, but in first-half stoppage time Atlanta opened the scoring on its first shot on target as Firmino’s powerful header found the bottom-left corner of the net.  

Hartford tried to find a way to level early in the second half, but just before the hour-mark Firmino struck again as he rose highest at the back post to head home a chipped cross from the right by Erik Centeno that snuck just inside the left post. The Athletic pulled within a goal with 20 minutes to go, however, when Younes Boudadi’s low cross from the right deflected off Atlanta defender Noah Cobb inside the six-yard area as he attempted to clear and looped into net. The hosts then had a late chance to level as Joel Johnson headed wide of the left post off a cross from the right by Boudadi, but Atlanta held on as Mitchell Curry’s stoppage-time volley flashed just over the crossbar for the hosts in stoppage time, which proved the final opportunity of the night.

USLChampionship.com Player of the Match

Nicolas Firmino, Atlanta United 2 – Firmino struck twice for the visitors with good headed finishes and battled in leading the line all night, winning 5 of 5 aerial duels while completing 37 of 52 passes.

Scoring Summary
ATL – Nicolas Firmino (Robbie Mertz) 45+1’
ATL – Nicolas Firmino (Erik Centeno) 59’
HFD – Noah Cobb (Own Goal) 70’

Full Box Score