Atlanta United Draws Nashville SC For U.S. Open Cup Round Of 32

The official draw for the next round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup was on Thursday, April 21, which will determined Atlanta United’s opponent. Atlanta United will travel to face MLS club Nashville SC in the Round of 32. The fixture will be May 11 at 8 p.m. ET at GEODIS Park in Nashville, Tenn.

What The U.S. Open Cup Is

The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, referred to more commonly as the Open Cup, is a single-elimination competition that features teams from a variety of American soccer leagues, including MLS and USL. The Open Cup is the oldest ongoing national soccer competition in the U.S. and the third-longest-running open soccer tournament in the world.

The competition returns this year after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Atlanta United is the current champion and won the title in 2019. Since it's been awhile since the previous U.S. Open Cup, here's a brief refresher about the tournament.

More than 100 teams qualified for this year’s tournament. A look at the bracket can be a little overwhelming with that many teams competing, so it’s easier to think of it round-by-round. As an MLS club, Atlanta United enters the tournament in the third round, which will take place April 19-21. Rounds 1 and 2 have been completed and feature mostly lower division clubs.

In the third round, 17 of the 25 eligible MLS clubs enter the competition. A group of eight MLS clubs enter in the next round, the Round of 32.

The winner of the Open Cup will win prize money and earn an automatic spot in the 2023 Concacaf Champions League.

Atlanta United’s Participation

Atlanta United is the current champion of the Open Cup. In 2019, Atlanta United knocked off rival Orlando City 2-0 in the semifinals and Minnesota United 2-1 in the final to win the trophy and the first Open Cup title in club history.

Atlanta United entered this year’s tournament in the third round. Entrance into the third round means that Atlanta United will need to win six matches to be crowned champions.

The 5-Stripes won the third round matchup against Chattanooga FC on Wednesday night. The team scored six goals and recorded a clean sheet to advance into the Round of 32.