Atlanta United 2 beat Chicago Fire FC II 2-1 in MLS Next Pro, with two goals in six first-half minutes proving decisive. Arif Kovac and Enzo Dovlo scored before the break, and Atlanta held on despite a late Chicago goal.
Arif Kovac opened the scoring on 33 minutes from Cameron Dunbar's assist. Enzo Dovlo doubled the lead on 39, with Andrew Jardines providing the pass. Brody Williams pulled one back for Chicago in the 90th minute, but the visitors could not find an equaliser. The closing stages also saw Enzo Dovlo and Damian Nigg sent off, after Ignacio Suarez-Couri had been booked on 80 minutes.
Chicago had 57% possession and shaded the total shots 18-17, yet Atlanta registered more efforts on target (8-6) and a higher expected-goals figure (2.24 to 1.68). The home side's goalkeeper made five saves to Chicago's six, underlining a contest that stayed competitive until the end.
