Nic Firmino leads Atlanta United into US Open Cup round of 16

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Manager Gonzalo Pineda selected a roster with a mix of experience. Rios started as a striker with Firmino as attacking midfielder, Luke Brennan and Ashton Gordon as wingers, Jay Fortune and Dax McCarty as midfielders, Ronald Hernandez and Matt Edwards as full-backs, Stian Gregersen and Efrain Morales as central defenders and Josh Cohen in the goal. Edwards and Gordon signed short-term deals with Atlanta United 2 on Monday. These were the first Atlanta United departures for Cohen, Edwards and Gordon.

Pineda said Monday that the coaching staff is working to simplify some unspecified things to try to improve players’ confidence. This was Gregersen’s first start since March 24, as he underwent surgery on his left knee. However, he was forced to abandon the match in the ninth minute. He was examined on the sidelines by the team’s medical staff for a concussion. Noah Cobb was replaced in the match in the 11th minute.

Charlotte has used three center backs and two wingers, part of a defensive formation that has upset Atlanta United this season, most recently when it was used by Minnesota United in their 2-1 win over the Five Stripes last week .

Atlanta United got lucky in the 28th minute when Hernandez tripped Juan Carlos Obregon in the penalty area. Referee Lorenzo Hernández ruled that the foul had occurred just centimeters out wide, resulting in a free kick rather than a penalty.

Atlanta United finished the first half with nine shots, including one on goal. It was his best chance when McCarty played Brennan into space down the right. His cross hit Gordon but his shot was smothered by Charlotte goalkeeper Austin Pack, who played at Chattahoochee High School, around the 28th minute.

Charlotte’s first shot on goal came in the 58th minute. He was hit by former Manchester United and Newcastle player Gabriel Obertan.

Atlanta United took a 1-0 lead in the 52nd minute thanks to a goal from Firmino, with assists from Brennan and Edwards. McCarty found Brennan again on the right and he handed the ball to Edwards as he made his overlapping run. Edwards completed a cutback cross to the 12-yard zone. McCarty continued his run into the box and on his way to the cross. But he overshot the ball, making defenders hesitate and giving Firmino space to place his shot into the bottom left corner.

Atlanta United began to spice up Charlotte’s goal with shots from Firmino, Rios and McCarty saved in the following minutes.

Brooks Lennon and Caleb Wiley replaced Edwards and Gordon in the 64th minute.

Firmino struck again in the 71st minute from another cutback cross, this time from Wiley, who was credited with the assist. Atlanta United pushed ahead again after a Cohen pass went over the heads of Rios and a Charlotte defender in their own half, the ball bouncing to Wiley behind the defenders.

Bartosz Slisz and Xande Silva replaced McCarty and Brennan after the goal to help the team complete the result.

Rios scored the third in the 85th minute thanks to an assist from Silva.

Atlanta United will host DC United on Saturday in their return to MLS.

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Atlanta United’s 2024 schedule

February 24 Columbus 1, Atlanta United 0

March 9 Atlanta United 4, New England 1

March 17 Atlanta United 2, Orlando 0

March 23 Toronto 2, Atlanta United 0

March 31 Atlanta United 3, Chicago 0

April 6 Atlanta United 1, NYCFC 1

April 14 Atlanta United 2, Philadelphia 2

April 20 Cincinnati 2, Atlanta United 1

April 27 Atlanta United 1, Chicago 1

May 4 Minnesota 2, Atlanta United 1

May 7 Atlanta United 3, Charlotte Independence 0 (US Open Cup)

May 11 vs. DC United, 7:30 p.m.

May 15 in Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.

May 18 in Nashville, 1:30 p.m.

May 25 vs. LAFC, 7:30 p.m.

May 29 in Miami, 7:30 p.m.

June 2 vs. Charlotte, 4:30 p.m., FOX

June 15 vs. Houston, 7:30 p.m.

June 19 at DC United, 7:30 p.m.

June 22 in Saint-Louis, 8:30 p.m.

June 29 c. Toronto, 7:30 p.m.

July 3 at New England, 7:30 p.m.

July 6 at Real Salt Lake, 9:30 p.m.

July 13 in Montreal, 7:30 p.m.

July 17 vs. NYCFC, 7:30 p.m.

July 20 against Columbus, 7:30 p.m.

July 26 against DC United in the League Cup, 7:30 p.m.

August 4 against Santos Laguna in the League Cup, 4 p.m.

August 24 at LA Galaxy, 10:30 p.m.

August 31 in Charlotte, 7:30 p.m.

September 14 vs. Nashville, 7:30 p.m.

September 18 against Miami, 7:30 p.m.

September 21 at the Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.

September 28 in Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.

October 2 c. Montreal, 7:30 p.m.

October 5 against Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.

October 19 in Orlando, 6 p.m.