After a welcome return to the win column in league play over the weekend, Atlanta United will look to build on that result as they enter the nation’s oldest cup competition this week. The Five Stripes will host USL side Charleston Battery at Kennesaw State’s Fifth Third Bank Stadium in a rematch of last year’s fourth round matchup. And with a place in the CONCACAF Champion’s League the prize for the tournament winner, Tata Martino has named the tournament a priority for this season.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. EST and will be live-streamed at atlutd.com/live.
Atlanta United
After last year’s fifth round exit to Miami FC, Atlanta United leadership have pointed to a renewed focus on the U.S. Open Cup this year, calling it a golden opportunity to qualify for the CONCACAF Champion’s League. But with the matches piling up in the near future, Tata Martino hinted after this weekend’s match that he could use the depth at his disposal against the Battery. Who that entails remains to be seen, but with players like Andrew Carleton, Brandon Vazquez and Romario Williams on the bench this week after thriving in their time as substitutes so far this season, there’s a good chance we’ll see them in action on Wednesday night.
There are plenty of connections between the two sides, with Charleston acting as Atlanta United’s USL affiliate before the launch of ATL UTD 2 this year. Williams and Carleton, along with Miles Robinson, Mikey Ambrose, Alec Kann, Chris Goslin, Lagos Kunga, Laurent Kissiedou all having spent time with the Battery. Williams is especially noteworthy, with the Jamaican striker spending an incredibly successful stretch with Charleston in which he scored 25 goals over two seasons and was named in the All-USL Second Team last season.
Lining up in the back could be players like Miles Robinson, Sal Zizzo and Alec Kann, and it’s a testament to Atlanta United’s depth that they can bring proven MLS starters into a match like this while giving much-needed rest to players that have piled up more minutes over recent weeks. While there are no guarantees for anyone in the starting lineup, it could be a perfect opportunity for players to step in and show they deserve more minutes on the pitch with the first team.
Charleston Battery
Founded in 1993, the Charleston Battery is the oldest continuously-operated clubs in American soccer. And in that time, they’ve been one of the most consistent clubs in the lower division, always near the top of the USL standings.
Under manager Mike Anhaeuser, the team is built from the back forward with a powerful back line acting as the spine for the team. Their most recent lineup included a three-man backline that consisted of players all more than six feet tall, including 6’5” Skylar Thomas. They’re a bruising side that can match up physically with anyone in the league, and they showed it in preseason where they went toe to toe with Atlanta, Charleston and Minnesota United in the Carolina Challenge Cup.
While the team thrives on strength, they have plenty of skill up front as well. Atlanta United fans may recognize 2018 MLS SuperDraft pick Gordon Wild, who’s on loan in the Battery’s forward line, a lethal finisher who put two goals past ATL UTD 2 at Coolray Field earlier this season. Atlanta United Academy product Patrick Okonkwo, also on loan, has made consistent appearances for the club off the bench. But the spearhead of the attack is Ataulla Guerra, who is just one goal off the USL Golden Boot race with seven so far this year. He’s equally adept as creator or goalscorer, previously having played as a creative midfielder in the past, and will be looking to connect with quick combinations with his fellow forwards throughout the match. He’ll be the main man Atlanta United’s back line will have to focus on to move on to the fifth round.
The “win or go home” nature of cup competitions makes this a can’t miss midweek matchup, so make sure to reserve your tickets at Fifth Third Bank stadium here. If you can’t make it in person, tune in Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. EST for a live stream of the match at atlutd.com/live.
