18-year-old Caleb Wiley scores twice to lift Atlanta United past Charlotte FC
Caleb Wiley scored two goals as Atlanta United recorded a 3-0 road victory over Charlotte FC on Saturday.
Luiz Araujo also tallied and Brad Guzan made three saves for Atlanta (2-0-1, 7 points).
Saturday’s matchup was Atlanta United’s first road game, and a strong result for a team that was only 2-10-5 away from home last season.
Charlotte FC (0-3-0, 0 points) has been outscored 7-1 in their first three matches.
In each of Charlotte FC’s two MLS seasons, the team has opened the campaign with a three-game losing streak.
All three of Atlanta’s goals came in the first half, with Wiley’s two scores sandwiched around Araujo’s goal in the 12th minute.
It was the first career brace for Wiley, playing in his second MLS season. A homegrown product from Atlanta United’s academy, the 18-year-old Wiley has started 21 of his 29 games for Atlanta.
The Five Stripes found plenty of space amidst Charlotte FC’s shaky defense, and the attack started early. Wiley scored in the fifth minute and Araujo doubled the advantage soon afterward.
Charlotte tried to respond to Araujo’s goal, as Karol Swiderski and Adilson Malanda each had nearmiss chances in the next few minutes of play.
However, Charlotte FC’s best opportunity at a goal was erased on video review. A penalty kick initially was awarded after Kamil Jozwiak was fouled in Atlanta’s box in the 29th minute, but the referee changed his call after taking a second look at the play.
Atlanta United then sealed the game just before the halftime break, as Wiley scored two minutes into first-half extra time. With Thiago Almada controlling the play, Atlanta again had little issue in moving the ball up the field, culminating in Araujo passing to an open Wiley on the left side.