Atlanta United triumphs 2-0 over Birmingham Legion
BIRMINGHAM, AL. – On Saturday, Feb. 1, Atlanta United played their second preseason match against USL Championship side Birmingham Legion FC at Protective Stadium in downtown Birmingham.
Atlanta won the match 2-0, which included a second-half own goal by Birmingham.
The match was another opportunity for first-year Atlanta United manager Ronny Deila to get a look at some of the squad’s younger and newer players. Along with Noah Cobb and Jay Fortune, new signee, Japanese striker Cayman Togashi and 2025 MLS Super Draft selection, midfielder Will Reilly started the match. The starting lineup also included backup goalkeeper Josh Cohen.
Togashi scored his first ever goal for Atlanta in the 25th minute of the match on a pass from Ronald Hernandez.
Cohen was tested throughout the first half on several occasions and earned a couple saves in the process. He will be necessary for a successful season with 40-year-old Brad Guzan back as the starter for the 2025 season.
The second half began with Guzan, Luis Abram, Atlanta United 2 defender Dominik Chong Qui, Tristan Muyumba, Mateusz Klich, Saba Lobjanidze, Alexey Miranchuk, and striker Jamal Thiare entering the match.
Atlanta United held the advantage in possession during the second half, earning several chances to build on their one-goal lead. Atlanta took 10 shots at the Birmingham goal -Thiare nearly scored the second goal of the match twice before a Birmingham own-goal made the score 2-0.
The Five Stripes earned six corner kicks during the match, while Birmingham had only five shots at the Atlanta net and just four corner kicks in comparison.
The successful result comes on the heels of a 2-1 loss in Chattanooga the previous weekend. The match was the season opener for Birmingham Legion FC.
