Atlanta United is back in action midweek as they begin their run in the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup against Memphis 901 FC. The match will be played at Kennesaw State University’s Fifth Third Bank Stadium. The Five Stripes are coming off a late victory against Chicago Fire FC last weekend, when the team scored the latest goal in club history to earn a 2-1 win. Memphis, which plays in the USL Championship, recorded its first clean sheet of the year in a 3-0 road win against Rio Grande Valley FC. The U.S. Open Cup is a knockout competition that clubs from all over the country can enter, professional or amateur. Atlanta won the Open Cup in 2019 and is looking to begin its run to another trophy with a win on Wednesday.
Let’s take a closer look at the Tools to the Match presented by The Home Depot against Memphis 901 FC.
Carry Momentum into Cup Competition
Atlanta United sits on 18 points through nine matches in league play, the second-best start to the season in club history behind only the 2018 season. The attack has been a main reason, scoring 18 goals, the second-highest total in the league only behind St. Louis City SC (21). With another league match on Saturday afternoon at Nashville, the match on Wednesday could provide the coaching staff a chance to rotate some of the squad in attack. Regardless of who is selected, head coach Gonzalo Pineda will still expect the players to implement the style of play he wants to see. Attack-minded, pressing on the front foot, especially at home, and take advantage of transition moments. If Atlanta can come out early and put pressure on Memphis, that would go a long way to advancing to the next round of the Open Cup.
Reunion with former coach and players
It will be a reunion of sorts when Memphis 901 FC comes to town. Head Coach Stephen Glass used to coach in Atlanta United’s Academy before coaching ATL UTD 2 full-time and Atlanta United on an interim basis in 2020. His side also features several players with ties to Atlanta United.
Former 2020 MLS SuperDraft selection Phillip Goodrum has blossomed since joining Memphis. He scored a career-high 22 goals last season. Midfielders Luiz Fernando and Laurent Kissiedou were members of ATL UTD 2 before signing with Memphis. Those players will look to impress playing back in Kennesaw on Wednesday. Atlanta’s defense will need to be alert to the attacking threat that Memphis possesses.
Keep the streak going
When Atlanta United’s first team plays at Fifth Third Bank Stadium, they don’t lose. The Five Stripes own an 8-0-0 record in all competitions playing matches in Kennesaw. Five of those eight wins have come in the Open Cup, while the other three have been in Concacaf Champions League action. Atlanta will look to keep that streak going on Wednesday night with a victory against Memphis.
Fans can tune in to ATLUTD.com/live, the B/R YouTube website or B/R App on Wednesday night with kickoff set for 7:30pm ET. To hear the action on English radio, tune into Sports Radio 92.9 The Game.
