Atlanta United FC 2 2-3 New York City FC II 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Regular Season - Matchweek 13 Date: Friday, June 6, 2025 | Kickoff: 1:03pm ET Location: Turner Soccer Complex | Athens, GA
New York City FC II earned a 3-2 win over Atlanta United 2 in Georgia. Goals from Nico Cavallo and a Seymour Reid brace secured the victory, with Mac Learned making key saves late on. City overcame an early deficit and a stoppage-time red card to claim all three points in an entertaining MLS NEXT Pro clash.
UP NEXT: The Boys in Blue play their final match of the month on the road against Columbus Crew 2 at Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Thursday, June 12 at 6:00pm ET.
New York City FC II returns to the road following a four-match homestand.
Today was the team’s first away fixture since May 4.
Friday's contest marked the Club's first meeting of the season against Atlanta United 2.
New York City FC II currently holds a 5-6-3 (W-L-D) record and is in third place in the Eastern Conference as it stands with 20 points.
New York City FC II now has a 2-1-2 record in the series against Atlanta United 2.
Through five matches, New York City FC II has scored nine goals and conceded eight.
On the road against Atlanta United 2, New York City FC II now holds a 1-1-1 record, having scored five goals and conceded six.
Through six overall away matches this season, New York City FC II has posted a 1-4-1 record.
In those matches this season, New York City FC II scored 10 goals and conceded 18.
New York City FC II has scored in five of their six away matches this season.
New York City FC II has scored multiple goals in four of six away matches this season.
Overall, six players have scored on the road for New York City FC II this season.
These players include Forwards Seymour Reid (4) and Julien Lacher, Midfielders Piero Elias, Collin McCamy, and Máximo Carrizo, and Defenders Chris Tiao and Nico Cavallo.
Nico Cavallo made his debut for New York City FC II and scored his first goal in the process, equalizing the match’s score just before the first half ended.
Seymour Reid scored his eighth and ninth goals of the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro Regular Season in this match, putting the Club ahead to win.
Reid is now tied with Tacoma Defiance Forward Yu Tsukanome for second most goals scored in the league, as they both have nine and are one off the lead of ten, set by Forward Nelson Pierre of Vancouver Whitecaps 2.
Additionally, Reid recorded his first assist of the season in this match, as he assisted Cavallo’s equalizer.
Piero Elias recorded his second assist of the season, assisting Reid’s second goal.
Chris Tiao provided his first assist of the season as he credited with a second assist on Cavallo’s goal.
NEW YORK CITY FC II HEAD COACH MATT PILKINGTON
On what went right in the performance today... "Overall I thought we played quite well in our build-up, so we were able to establish some control in the game. And then, with that, we created chances and were able to take some of them on the road, which is super important. Lastly, defending the lead for quite a while. We had to defend quite resiliently towards the end, but I’m proud of the effort and work rate to do so collectively. It was a big performance by the guys on the road to protect the lead and see it out. The experience of doing that will be valuable for them.”
On the importance of going into a league play pause on a good note... "Ultimately it's important to keep picking up points, but the main thing for us is how we perform. That’s the key to continuing to evolve the group. Going on the road has its own challenges, but it’s also good to test the players in different situations and environments. It’s one we look forward to, and we’ll make sure we’re prepared for it.”
NEW YORK CITY FC DEFENDER NICO CAVALLO
On scoring in his MLS NEXT Pro debut... "It feels amazing. My first professional goal—with my right foot, funny enough. I'm just glad I was able to contribute to the team and get my first goal.”
On the importance of winning on the road... "[It’s] Very important. The team's mindset coming in was to prove themselves as a team capable of winning away from New York [City]. And being able to do that through all 100 minutes, it felt good. But it was a whole team effort, and it was nice to get three points.”
2’ - ATL 2 - Rodrigo Neri [77]
Scored with a right footed shot from the right side of the box to the upper right central zone. Assisted by Will Reilly [28], second assist by Ronan Wynne [38].
29' - NYC II - Nico Cavallo [2]
Scored with a right footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Seymour Reid [74], second assist by Chris Tiao [68].
55’ - NYC II - Seymour Reid [74]
Scored from penalty with right footed shot to the bottom right corner.
65' - NYC II - Seymour Reid [74]
Scored with a right footed shot from the central position outside the box to the lower left central zone. Assisted by Piero Elias [42].
73’ - ATL 2 - Rodrigo Neri [77]
Scored with a right footed shot from the right side of the box to the upper right central zone. Assisted by Moises Tablante [80].
A sun-soaked afternoon in Georgia provided the stage for New York City FC II’s clash with Atlanta United 2.
Matt Pilkington’s side were keen to bounce back from defeat in their last outing against New England Revolution II and were boosted by the inclusion of Nico Cavallo in the starting XI.
A fast and frantic start saw the hosts emerge as the stronger of the two teams, taking the lead inside two minutes—Ricardo Neri converting with a fierce drive from the right-hand side of the area.
City almost found an instant response. Chris Tiao’s low delivery found Julien Lacher at the back post. His initial shot was saved, and he diverted the rebound toward goal, where it was headed just wide by Seymour Reid.
City applied a sustained period of pressure, including a shot by Lacher that landed comfortably in the hands of Jayden Hibbert.
Atlanta almost made it two in the 14th minute after Nykolas Sessock’s cross found Gabriel Wesseh free in the box. The forward could not keep his effort down and saw it sail over the bar.
City found a first-half equalizer just before the half-hour mark as Cavallo showed his quality in the final third. Reid laid the ball back to Cavallo on the edge of the box, allowing the defender to calmly curl the ball into the bottom corner with his right foot.
An even first half saw both teams come close to a second goal. For City, Sebastiano Musu rose highest to power a header toward goal, which was well held by Hibbert.
The second half saw the hosts start brightly, requiring a vital last-ditch block from Max Murray to keep the two teams level.
City responded well and were rewarded with a penalty in the 54th minute after Lacher was bundled to the ground in the box.
Reid stepped up to take the kick from 12 yards and calmly dispatched it into the bottom-right corner.
Atlanta came close to equalizing not long after, but a sensational stop from Mac Learned kept City’s lead intact.
Pilkington made his first changes of the afternoon, replacing Lacher and Murray with Luka Sunjic and Jonny Lopez.
Things got even better for City in the 65th minute, as Reid timed a run in behind Atlanta’s back line before expertly dinking the ball over Hibbert.
Atlanta responded in the 73rd minute, with Neri completing his brace courtesy of a powerful near-post finish at the end of a swift breakaway.
City's final two changes of the day saw David Duque and Eligio Guarino replace Uriel Zeitz and Piero Elias in the dying minutes.
Moises Tablante was handed a great chance to equalize for Atlanta late on, but Learned was quick off his line to smother the effort. The shot-stopper was on hand again in stoppage time with another great save to deny Salvatore Mazzaferro.
City were reduced to ten men in stoppage time after Lopez picked up a second yellow card. The resulting free kick was cleared away, allowing the final whistle to confirm a 3-2 win for City.
