Match Information:
MLS NEXT Pro: Matchweek 27
Date: Saturday September 13, 2025
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Truist Point Stadium (High Point, NC)
Watch: **Apple TV-MLS Season Pass**
SOCIAL TAGS:
Instagram: carolinacorefc
X: atlutd2
Instagram: atlutd2
Match Overview
CCFC Record: 7-9-8 (33 points – 9th in East)
ATL Record: 7-8-8 (31 points – 11th in East)
CCFC vs ATL All-Time: 2-1-2 (9 GF, 9 GA)
Carolina Core FC returns to Truist Point Stadium after back-to-back road wins to face off against Atlanta United 2 in MLS NEXT Pro. The game will be livestreamed on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 pm ET.
STORYLINES
The Playoff Chase
Carolina Core FC is earning big points and gaining momentum at just the right time as the MLS NEXT Pro regular season nears its end. The Foxes managed to secure back-to-back road wins—most recently against North Carolina rivals, Crown Legacy FC, in a 4-3 thriller. The victory saw four different CCFC players find the back of the net: Facundo Canete, Anthony Sumo Jr., Jacob Evans, and, scoring his first goal for the club, midfielder and High Point native Aryeh Miller. The win against Crown Legacy lifts The Foxes to 33 points and puts them ninth in the Eastern Conference—level on points with eighth-placed Orlando City B. With just four games remaining, The Core will face a crucial matchup against southern rivals Atlanta United 2 at the weekend.
Player to Watch
Anthony Sumo Jr. has been the standout player for Carolina Core FC in recent weeks, ever since scoring his first goal for the club against Huntsville City FC in August. The 26-year-old striker has registered three goal contributions (two goals, one assist) in his last four MLS NEXT Pro matches—three of which came as a substitute. Sumo Jr.’s goal contributions in Carolina Core FC’s recent road fixtures have been crucial, as the striker assisted Jacob Evans’ late equalizer against FC Cincinnati 2 and scored a go-ahead goal against Crown Legacy FC. Carolina Core FC went on to win both matches, and Sumo Jr. has been pivotal in getting the side back into playoff contention.
Pressure in Atlanta
Atlanta United 2 is coming off impressive back-to-back home wins against Inter Miami CF II and Huntsville City FC, who currently sits fourth in the Eastern Conference. Atlanta is on a five-game unbeaten streak at home (4-0-1), which has been vital to its position in the Eastern Conference standings. The team currently sits in 11th place with 31 points and five games remaining in the regular season. Atlanta comes to North Carolina needing to pick up points against Carolina Core FC to close the gap to the playoff positions and avoid falling further behind. The team will be counting on a strong performance from their creative forward Moises Tablante, who has scored the second-most goals for the team (five) and leads the squad in key passes with 36.
