Loudoun United had tried to win games at D.C. United’s stadium while their stadium in Bolen Park was being built. They stole a point back in their first game, and lost the next two, including one near the end of the game. With some newfound roster vitality, they were able to record that evasive home win, defeated Atlanta United 2 2-1 in front of 550 at Audi Field.

Coach Ryan Martin gave another start to another Academy player, as Theodore Ku-DiPietro featured on the right wing. A second Academy player (Gabe Segal) would come on as a substitute, appearing in the 36th minute as Noah Pilato come off with a shoulder issue.

Chances on both sides would improve early in the second half, first by Connor Presley on one end of the field for Loudoun, then Laurent Kissiedou on the other for ATL2. Then in the 63rd minute, Christian Sorto (who was subbed on in the 60th for Orlando Sinclair and was making his pro debut after being signed yesterday) collected an Antonio Bustamante free kick, dribbled his way through two Atlanta defenders and sent a right-footed curling shot past Dylan Castanheira’s left and inside of the goalpost for the lead. He would follow his first goal with another, shooting at almost the same target with his left foot after receiving a Kyle Murphy pass, giving Loudoun a 2 goal lead. It would stay that way until late, as Guillermo Benitez met a Kissiedou pass and blasted it past Earl Edwards Jr. on the far side of goal for a 2-1 game and the eventual result.

Loudoun (4-6-3) go back out on the road, playing at Saint Louis FC on July 6 at 8:30pm.