USL League One side Charlotte Independence traveled down to Fifth/Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, Georgia for some Open Cup “Action at the Fraction” against Atlanta United on Tuesday evening. After a slow start in the first half, United’s offense kicked in during the second half with a brace from Nick Firmino and a goal from Daniel Rios as Atlanta won 3-0. It was the 2019 US Open Cup champs’ first tournament win since 2022.
The two sides kicked off in beautiful weather in front of an announced crowd of 2,522.
A heavily rotated Atlanta United squad faced an early setback in the eighth minute as the recovering center back Stian Gregersen was forced off due to a concussion protocol concern. His replacement was Noah Cobb, a product of Atlanta’s academy and one who’s seen significant first team minutes recently.
The first half progressed rather quietly, save for a couple of dangerous free kick opportunities in favor of Charlotte, but tons of possession and half-chances by the Five Stripes. However, Atlanta United found themselves fortunate due to the absence of video review when Ronald Hernandez brought down Obregon Jr. just inside the box in the 38th minute. Despite the close call, the referee signaled for a free kick rather than awarding a penalty.
Though they dominated possession and generated numerous chances, Atlanta United struggled to convert their superiority into goals, a recurring theme in recent matches. Atlanta enjoyed 67% possession in the first half and took nine shots compared to Charlotte’s three, but they failed to find the breakthrough goal.
The defensive setup of Charlotte’s back five and low block presented significant challenges for Atlanta’s forwards, who struggled with clinical finishing in the final third.
Charlotte, for their part, seemed content to absorb all the pressure and try and strike on a counter. A slippery pitch caused multiple players to lose their footing, and Charlotte nearly took advantage early on after an Atlanta corner was played out to midfield. The last defender slipped, leaving Charlotte in a 1v1 vs keeper Josh Cohen, but the Independence weren’t urgent enough to set up the shot in time.
It wasn’t until the 52nd minute that the deadlock was broken, with Firmino putting the Five Stripes ahead after a well-executed cut-back and assist from Matt Edwards.
The momentum continued to favor Atlanta United as they made substitutions in the 63rd minute, bringing on Brooks Lennon and Caleb Wiley for Edwards and Ashton Gordon.
In the 70th minute, Wiley and keeper Josh Cohen played a crucial role in doubling the lead. A goal kick was taken by Cohen, looking to find Daniel Rios, who held off a Charlotte defender so the ball cleared over both of them. Meanwhile, an on-running Wiley snagged the ball and dribbled to the end line before providing an assist for Firmino’s second goal of the night.
Following the second goal, Atlanta United made two more changes, bringing on Bartosz Slisz and Xande Silva for Luke Brennan and Dax McCarty in the 71st minute. The hosts effectively sealed the victory in the 85th minute when Silva’s run down the flank culminated in a low cross to Rios, who slotted home the third goal of the night.
Atlanta United will now move on in the Open Cup to face either South Georgia Tormenta or Charleston Battery, and Charlotte Independence returns to league play against Forward Madison on Saturday.
