ATHENS, Ga. (Saturday, June 27, 2026) - Crown Legacy FC played Atlanta United 2 to a 3-3 draw on Saturday night at Turner Sports Complex. CLFC claimed an extra point after beating Atlanta in a penalty shootout, 4-3. Legacy saw three separate goal scorers as well as an Academy debut from Gavin Smith (16 years, 10 months, 23 days).
CLFC put itself on the board early in the sixth minute after converting a set piece from a corner kick. Captain Aron John whipped in a ball that met the head of defender Assane Ouedraogo who crashed the goal unmarked from just past the penalty spot.
Legacy doubled its lead later in the 14th minute. The play began with Adrian Mendoza blowing past two Atlanta players in the midfield before picking out Nimfasha Berchimas on the left wing, who dribbled inside to set up Brian Romero for an open opportunity in the box.
Atlanta pulled one back in the 17th minute after being awarded a penalty kick off a handball in the box. Forward Arif Kovac stepped up to the spot and sent the ball to the right side of goal past Lazar Kaličanin after diving the correct way.
Kovac leveled the match in the 30th minute when Cameron Dunbar made his way into the box and past his defenders, setting up Kovac for an open chance in front of goal.
Legacy regained the lead following the halftime break. Berchimas continued to display his dribbling abilities, cutting into the box and getting past his defender before squaring a pass to Nathan Richmond that took a deflection before reaching the winger. Richmond corralled the ball and calmly sent the ball into the net.
CLFC would play the remainder of the contest down a man after defender Jack Neeley was sent off following an errant tackle in the midfield in the 58th minute, drawing a straight red card.
Atlanta equalized again in the 60th minute when fullback Dominik Chong Qui cut in from the left flank and got off a shot from a tight angle, taking a deflection off of Lazar Kaličanin and into the goal.
With things level at three apiece, the match went into a shootout to determine who would claim an extra point in the standings. After trading to successful attempts, Atlanta saw its attempt from Andrew Jardines saved by Kaličanin while Santiago Pita's shot rung off the crossbar.
Crown Legacy FC returns home to kick off a three-match homestand on Sunday, July 5 against Orlando City B. Kickoff at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex is set for 7:00 p.m. ET and admission to the match is free.
Penalty Shootout Summary:
CLFC:
- Erik Peña ✅
- Aron John ✅
- Nathan Richmond ✅
- Gavin Smith ❌
- Jamie Smith ✅
ATL:
- Arif Kovac ✅
- Dominik Chong Qui ✅
- Andrew Jardines ❌
- Santiago Pita ❌
- Adrian Gill ✅
Match Notes:
- CLFC won its third penalty shootout of the season.
- CLFC finish the season series with Atlanta unbeaten with a 2W-0L-1D record.
- Academy defender Gavin Smith made his professional debut with his inclusion in the starting lineup. Smith is the 10th youngest debutant in CLFC history (16 years, 10 months, 23 days).
- Forward Nathan Richmond returned to the squad after being sidelined with an injury. The winger scored his fifth goal of the season, bringing his goal contribution tally to 13 (5G+8A).
- Defender Assane Ouedraogo scored his second goal of 2026. Both have come off of corner kick set pieces.
- Midfielder Aron John recorded his second assist of the season, his 15th in his career.
- Homegrown winger Nimfasha Berchimas recorded his second assist of the year.
- Forward Brian Romero scored his first goal of the season.
Scoring Summary:
- 6' - CLFC - Assane Ouedraogo (Aron John)
- 14' - CLFC - Brian Romero (Nimfasha Berchimas)
- 18' - ATL - Arif Kovac (Penalty)
- 30' - ATL - Arif Kovac (Cameron Dunbar)
- 54' - CLFC - Nathan Richmond (Unassisted)
- 60' - ATL - Dominik Chong Qui (Cameron Dunbar)
Disciplinary Summary:
- 45'+5' - CLFC - Nimfasha Berchimas (Caution 🟨)
- 58' - CLFC - Jack Neeley (Ejection 🟥)
- 67' - ATL - Enzo Dovolo (Caution 🟨)
