Rookie Abada scores twice to lead Charlotte to 3

ATLANTA (AP) — Rookie Liel Abada scored two goals to lead Charlotte to a 3-2 victory over Atlanta United on Sunday.

Atlanta United (4-8-4) took a 1-0 lead in the 35th minute on a goal by Thiago Almada, who found the net for a fourth time this season on a left-footed shot from the center of the box.

Charlotte (7-6-4) pulled even five minutes later on an own goal by Atlanta United defender Derrick Williams.

Charlotte took a 2-1 lead in the 56th minute when Abada, a 22-year-old forward, used an assist from Kerwin Vargas — his first — to score.

Abada gave Charlotte a two-goal lead in the 68th minute, using passes from Brandt Bronico and defender Jere Uronen. Abada’s first career brace gives him three goals on the season. It was the second assist for Uronen and the first for Bronico.

Xande Silva found the net in the 79th minute to get Atlanta United within a goal. Silva scored for the first time this season off Ajani Fortune’s first assist.