CCFC defeats Atlanta United 2, by a margin of 2-1 on the road to earn first victory of MLS NEXT Pro season
CCFC defeats Atlanta United 2, by a margin of 2-1 on the road to earn first victory of MLS NEXT Pro regular season
Kennesaw, Georgia (May 8, 2024) – Carolina Core FC defeats Atlanta United 2, 2-1 on Wednesday night at Fifth Third Stadium to earn historic first victory.
Goal-Scoring Plays
ATL 2 – Noble Akello Ayo, 31st Minute: Noble Akello scored a right-footed shot to the bottom left corner of the goal from inside the penalty area. The goal was assisted by Erik Centeno.
CCFC – Jacob Evans, 43rd Minute: Jacob Evans scored a right-footed shot to the bottom right corner of the goal.
CCFC – Christian Diaz, 45 + 2': Christian Diaz scored a header aimed toward the top right directly from a corner kick. The goal was assisted by Jacob Evans.
Postgame Notes
- CCFC wins first game in MLS NEXT Pro
- Christian Diaz scores first goal of CCFC career
- Santiango Cambindo makes CCFC debut
- CCFC vs. ATL UTD 2 MLSNP Box Score
Carolina Core FC wins first game in MLS NEXT Pro
Carolina Core FC made history tonight by recording their first MLS NEXT Pro victory of the season. CCFC won the match 2-1 against Atlanta United 2, with goals coming from captain Jacob Evans and defender Christian Diaz. Atlanta United 2 midfielder Noble Akello would open the scoring in the 31st minute with a right-footed shot to the bottom left corner of the goal. CCFC Captain Jacob Evans would find the equalizer soon after, continuing his good run of form by scoring a right-footed strike to the bottom right corner of the goal in the 43rd minute. Just before the halftime interval, defender Christian Diaz would head in the game-winning goal from a corner kick. Diaz rose above the defense to power home a header into the right side of the goal, assisted by Jacob Evans. This was Diaz’s first goal of his CCFC career, as well as Evans’ first assist of the season.
Christian Diaz scores first CCFC goal
CCFC defender Christian Diaz scored his first professional goal on Wednesday night against Atlanta United 2. Coming off a set piece taken by Jacob Evans and Diaz, the U-17 USYNT defender rose above the defense and directed his header into the top right corner of the goal. Diaz has started in six games for the club this season, with five coming in MLS NEXT Pro league play.
Santiago Cambindo makes CCFC debut
New Carolina Core FC signing Santiago Cambindo made his MLS NEXT Pro debut tonight against Atlanta United 2. The defensive midfielder came on in the 84th minute of the match, replacing Derek Cuevas. Cambindo, the Colombia native, played a vital role in maintaining CCFC’s lead and helping the team record its first MLS NEXT Pro win in organization history.
Lineups
Carolina Core FC — Alex Sutton; Jathan Juarez, Ibrahim Covi, Kai Thomas, Christian Diaz, Derek Cuevas (Santiago Cambindo – 84’); Jesus Orejuela, Facundo Canete, Jacob Evans; David “Pachi” Polanco (Carlos-Mario Diaz – 58’), Josuha Rodriguez (Papa Ndoye – 71’).
Substitutes not used — Andrew Pannenberg, Jeremiah White IV, Aryeh Miller, Angel Aguas, Ozzie Cisneros, Luis Lugo.
Atlanta United 2 — Jayden Hibbert; Erik Centeno, Ramzi Qawasmy (Adyn Torres – 38’), Kaiden Moore (Miles Hadley – 46’), Jacob Williams; Javier Armas, Noble Okello Ayo, Alan Carleton; Matías Gallardo, Matthew Dejianne (Stephen Hurlock – 79’); Karim Tmimi.
Substitutes not used — Luke Berner, Shawn Lanza, Pavel Romero, Dominik Chong Qui.
Next Game
Carolina Core FC visits Inter Miami II, continuing their start of the season road trip on Sunday, May 19 at Chase Stadium. The match kicks off at 3:00 PM ET on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
2024 MLS NEXT Pro
Carolina Core FC at Atlanta United 2
Wednesday, May 8, 2024 – Fifth Third Stadium (Kennesaw, GA)
Carolina Core FC record: 1-4-1 (5 points – 14th in East)
Atlanta United 2 record: 2-5-1 (8 points – 13th in East)
Scoring Summary:
ATL2: Noble Okello Ayo (Erik Centeno) – 31’
CCFC: Jacob Evans – 43’
CCFC: Christian Diaz (Jacob Evans) – 45 +2’
Misconduct Summary:
ATL2: Alan Carleton (caution) – 12’
CCFC: David “Pachi” Polanco (caution) – 13’
ATL2: Javier Armas (caution) – 26’
ATL2: Kaiden Moore (caution) – 45’
CCFC: Papa Ndoye (ejection) – 86’
CCFC: Alex Sutton (caution) – 89’
ATL2: Steve Cooke (caution) – 90 +1’
ATL2: Steve Cooke (ejection) – 90 +1’
Referee: Alejo Calume
Assistant Referees: Jacob Little, Sharon Gingrich
Fourth Official: Izlen Peksenar
Weather: Partly Cloudy, 62 degrees
Attendance: 346
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
