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Carleton's Penalty Earns Atlanta Draw vs. Louisville

By CHRIS HOCKMAN - chris.hockman@uslsoccer.com, 04/21/18, 9:00PM EDT

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Defending champion's perfect start ends in stoppage time on road in 1-1 draw


Photo courtesy Karl L. Moore / ATL UTD 2

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – After missing a penalty in the early stages of the second half, ATL UTD 2 midfielder Andrew Carleton made up for it, scoring a penalty in stoppage time to steal a 1-1 draw against Louisville City FC at Coolray Field on Saturday night. With the two teams playing with high lines the action was fast and end-to-end but both teams were showing why they are undefeated in the early stages with strong defensive play. Louisville could have had the opener in the 29th minute as a perfect cross found wide open midfielder Oscar Jimenez, whose header beat the goalkeeper but could only find the crossbar before Cameron Lancaster sent his header on the rebound over. Eight minutes later Louisville hit the crossbar again as the ball moved around the edge of the area to forward Ilija Ilic, who hit a powerful strike but could only find the crossbar again, keeping the match scoreless at the break. Atlanta should have taken the lead in the 58th minute when midfield debutant Andrew Carleton stepped up after the hosts were awarded a penalty kick, but he hit his strike with far too much power, launching it over the crossbar. Atlanta was punished for that missed penalty in the 66th minute when Lancaster was able to turn well, opening up space to hit a powerful shot out of the reach of the goalkeeper. Down a goal, the hosts were forced to go on the attack, which was seemingly coming up short. But in stoppage time another penalty allowed Carleton to make amends for his earlier mistake and he made no mistake, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to score his first USL goal and salvage Atlanta's undefeated start to the season.

Scoring
66’ – LOU – Cameron Lancaster (Devon Williams)
90+1’ – ATL – Andrew Carleton (Penalty)

Three Things That Matter:

  • 1. Both teams came into the match undefeated, but Louisville came in with greater goal scoring power, having spread their six goals this season through six players. Lancaster’s goal made him the first multiple-goal scorer for Louisville this season, with so many options, the defending champions are able to find goals from all over the park.

  • 2. Louisville put on a strong defensive performance yet again, but it wasn’t enough as ATL UTD 2 ended the perfect run for Louisville. Atlanta had just one shot on target all match, that coming on Carleton’s late penalty as Louisville outshot its hosts outshot 22-6 in the match.

  • 3. Despite an undefeated start to the season Atlanta has had a shaky defense. This match continued a trend for the side, which has yet to keep a clean sheet all season. Playing again on Tuesday against the Charleston Battery there will be little time for much-needed work on the training park ahead of that match.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:

Cameron Lancaster, Louisville City FC – Lancaster was a constant threat all match, managing four shots on target, with four more blocked by the ATL UTD 2 defense. Lancaster returned that back to the Atlanta players, getting back to block four shots himself.

Upcoming Games:
ATL UTD 2 
vs. Charleston Battery – April 24, 7p.m. ET, Coolray Field
Louisville City FC vs. Bethlehem Steel FC  – April 28, 7:30p.m. ET, Louisville Slugger Field

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