An Aberdeen XI were successful in their travels across the Atlantic Ocean as they faced Atlanta United in a friendly game on Wednesday afternoon - with on-loan Liverpool starlet Leighton Clarkson scoring a superb winner.
Having formed an allegiance in 2019, the Dons took to mid-eastern American to face their sister side who, disappointingly, only mustered an 11th-placed finish in the Eastern Conference of last season’s MLS. A strong Aberdeen squad took to the Georgian field, with Joe Lewis, Ross McCrorie, Matty Kennedy, Clarkson and Christian Ramirez all named in the starting XI for the visit to Atlanta’s training ground.
That wasn’t all; with Duk and Jonny Hayes named on the bench, experience and a focus upon match fitness was seemingly imperative for Jim Goodwin. And the Irishman's squad ended the clash with a warranted victory after Clarkson's sublime volley from a Kennedy corner wowed the crowd as Aberdeen's schedule burned on with yet another win.
The first half started slowly with Lewis making two decent saves of his own, before Clarkson had a shot of his own saved by Five Stripes keeper Guerra. Injury scares then hit the Dons when Vicente Besuijen was forced off with an injury, with Duk taking his place.
Half time soon came about with barely any chances created, and despite the lack of competitiveness in the affair, there was more urgency needed from the away side. Adam Emslie replaced Ramirez, whilst Finlay Marshall and Dylan Lobban came on in lace of Shayden Morris and Hayden Coulson.
But the breakthrough finally came when Kennedy’s flat, bulleted corner fell to Clarkson, with the Blackburn-born star lashing a first-time volley into the top-left corner. Having seen his quality on the ball all season, it didn’t come as a surprise to Aberdeen fans who had make the trip ‘across the pond’.
Lovely strike by @LFC loanee Leighton Clarkson to open the scoring Vs @ATLUTD Aberdeen 1-0. pic.twitter.com/WFEhHKBRcG
— Chris Harvey (@ChristopherHarv) November 16, 2022
With two games against Celtic and Rangers in the space of just four days on their return from proceedings at the World Cup, Goodwin will be delighted that his team are at the peak of their perils following a run of five wins from seven before the break in all competitions; especially with the Scottish League Cup semi-final against the Gers coming up in the January period.
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