Atlanta United beats Charleston Battery on penalties to advance to US Open Cup quarterfinals

Atlanta United triumphed on penalties against USL Championship team Charleston Battery on Tuesday night in the round of 16 of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. In a tight, scoreless contest after regulation and extra time, the winner of the match was decided by penalties.

Goalkeeper Josh Cohen hit Charleston’s final kick over the crossbar to send Atlanta United into the quarterfinals of the competition.

“I’m super happy,” Atlanta United head coach Gonzalo Pineda said in his post-match press conference. “You can imagine it was not an easy match. It was a match in which we had to fight, do our best to attack and we had some good chances. But in the end, in the last 30 minutes, in overtime, it was all about who wanted it more.

Atlanta United had a challenge ahead of them on Tuesday. Charleston Battery, led by head coach Ben Pirmann, entered the match in excellent form, undefeated in the league and in first place in the Eastern Conference of the USL Championship. And the game played out that way, as Atlanta United threw several reserves, including two called up on a short-term deal, with the teams trading chances for 120 minutes with neither finds the back of the net.

“I’m very proud of them, very proud of the team,” Pineda said. “Getting some good vibes, a little bit of a positive mindset. I think that will give us a little bit more energy.”

Atlanta United put together one of their best chances in the 17th minute. Ashton Gordon evaded a defender then passed the ball to Luke Brennan on the wing. Brennan threaded the needle into a narrow window for striker Jamal Thiaré to make a diagonal run into the box. Thiaré received the pass, but was quickly greeted by Charleston goalkeeper Daniel Kuzemka, who came to block Thiaré’s shot.

As the first half progressed, both teams created quality in their attack. For Atlanta, Thiaré almost scored with a header on a quickly developing play, similar to his MLS goal against New York City FC, but his header went wide. In the 43rd minute, Charleston combined and forward Nick Markanich fired a shot from inside the box that went into Cohen’s arms.

In the 63rd minute, Atlanta United head coach Gonzalo Pineda made his first changes, sending Daniel Ríos and Bartosz Slisz in place of Thiaré and Gordon.

On the next play, Charleston Battery nearly opened the scoring when midfielder Aaron Molloy took a long throw-in and then fired a shot from about 25 yards out with his right foot. The ball bounces right next to the goal. A few minutes later, Nick Firmino attempted a similar long-range shot for Atlanta United. The shot was well struck and on target, requiring a save from Kuzemka who went out of bounds for an Atlanta corner.

Regulation ended scoreless, which meant overtime at Patriots Point Soccer Stadium. Some veterans were on the court for Atlanta before both 15-minute periods. Second-half substitutions included first-team starters Brooks Lennon and Stian Gregersen.

Early in extra time, Charleston Battery committed a foul and won a direct free kick from about 25 yards out. The kick was deflected towards the goal and hit the post in a scary moment for all 5 sides.

In the first 15 minutes of extra time, Atlanta United used their last available substitute for an outfield player, sending on Alan Carleton in place of Matt Edwards. This appearance marked Carleton’s club debut with the first team.

“120 minutes, there is some turnover but we are working very hard,” Cohen said after the match. “I think the guys have done a really good job of staying connected and communicating with each other. When there’s change in the backline and in different plays, the most important thing is just to maintain communication. You can trade plays and as long as the communication is there, you’re going to be strong and have that trust with the guy next to you on your left and on your right.

Atlanta United created a good chance in extra time and almost found the winning goal. Gregersen played the ball vertically to Lennon. The full-back did what he does so well and sent a quality cross into the box. The ball reached Firmino at the far post. The midfielder used the outside of his foot for the attempt, but from a difficult angle, and his shot missed.

Still tied 0-0 after 120 minutes, the match went to a shootout. Atlanta United missed the first, then converted the next four kicks. Charleston Battery made its first four, then Cohen stopped the fifth to force another round. Gregersen scored the sixth for Atlanta and Cohen stopped Charleston’s sixth attempt to secure the first penalty shootout victory in club history.

“A lot of it is trying to stay calm,” Cohen said. “I’ve had these two where I got my fingertip on it or it came off my thumb and still ended up in the goal, which is frustrating, but you just have to do it. ” to forget that. And then treat this one as an isolated incident and trust yourself, push, and it paid off tonight.

Similar to the Round of 16 victory over Charlotte Independence, Pineda’s starting lineup included a mix of first and second team players. Cohen made his second career start in goal for Atlanta United and earned his second clean sheet. Matt Edwards and Ashton Gordon, who were two of four players called up on short-term deals, got the start.

“We played with a total of six locals, for me that’s huge,” Pineda said. “If you count Nick Firmino who developed a bit more with the second team at the start, that’s almost seven. For me it’s a very big statement from the club, the quality of the Academy and the talent and heart that the kids put into it I think it was impressive.”

Starting XI and squad ratings for Charleston Battery vs Atlanta United on Tuesday, May 21, 2024

With this result, Atlanta United advances to the quarterfinals of the US Open Cup for the first time since 2019. Details of the next match and opponent will be determined in a draw held Wednesday evening at 10 p.m., which will be broadcast on the official website. US Soccer YouTube channel. The quarterfinal matches are scheduled to take place on July 9 and 10.