Friday marks a historic day for first-year independent side CT United FC as the MLS NEXT Pro newcomers begin their first playoff run. Catch up on everything you need to know before CT United takes the field.
Opponent: Atlanta United 2
Date: Friday, October 16th
Time: 6:00 PM ET
Venue: Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground, Marietta, Georgia
Broadcast: The Wax, OneFootball TV, & MLS YouTube Channel
Weather: Things will get off to a hot start as temps reach the high 70s come kickoff before tapering out to the low 70s throughout the evening. Winds could be a factors a gusts max out at 24 miles per hour.
CT United FC:
2026 was a solid season for Shavar Thomas and his CT United team as the independent side finished the regular season in seventh place with 46 points on a 14-12-2 record with two shootout victories.
A big part of CT’s success came from Hungarian forward Barnabás Tanyi, who finished the regular season with a staggering 16 goals and finished third in the league’s Golden Boot race. Tanyi also showed his unselfishness, co-leading the team in assists with seven alongside Daniel D’Ippolito and Alex Monis.
Goalkeeper Gunther Rankerburg also played a huge role on the defensive side of the game. His 66 saves in 2026 ranked 13th in MLS NEXT Pro. Defender Andre Applewhaite’s defensive efforts led to league recognition as an honorable mention on the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Best XI. Applewhaite ended 2026 with 23 fouls, 18 clearances, seven yellow cards, and averaged 2 tackles and 3.9 recoveries per match.
As a team, it’s clear why CT was successful and clinched a spot in the postseason. They ranked first in big chances created (107), 15th in touches in the opposing box (639), and tied for third in goals per match (2.1), second in shots on target per match (5.8), and fourth in penalties awarded (7).
While CT excelled on offense, their defense was key to their success. It ranked first in tackles per match, second in interceptions per match (10.9), and tied for 12th in set-piece goals conceded (8) and 14th in clearances per match (20).
Atlanta United FC 2:
2026 was a solid year for Jose Silva and his Atlanta United 2 side as the club finished third with 48 points on a 14-9-5 record with one shootout victory.
A big part of Atlanta’s success in 2026 has come from the duo of forward Arif Kovac and defender Cameron Dunbar. Kovac was a consistent producer for this Atlanta United 2 side, tallying a league-high 20 goals to take home the Golden Boot Award and earn a spot on the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Best XI.
Dunbar, like Kovac, was another key source of production, ending the year with a league-high 13 assists and took home the 2026 MLS NEXT Pro Playmaker of the Year award.
While Kovac and Dunbar were the key contributors for this Atlanta side, they weren’t the only. Forward Enzo Dovlo ended the regular season with five goals and four assists in 26 appearances, while defender Daniel Chica finished the year with four goals and one assist.
Looking at the stats, it's clear why Atlanta United 2 find themselves high up the table. Atlanta ended the regular season ranked second in goals per match (2.2), 11th in average possession (51.1%), second in big chances created (97), second in touches in the opposing box (831), and tied for third in accurate crosses per match (4.6).
Previous Meetings:
Friday’s Conference Quarterfinal will mark the second all-time meeting between the two sides.
The first meeting came on September 8th when Daniel D’Ippolito’s 79th-minute strike prevented a shutout in CT’s 4-1 loss at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground.
