Charleston Battery will travel to play Atlanta United (MLS) in the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, June 6. The match will be played at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, Georgia.
The Battery advanced to the MLS round of the Open Cup by defeating Elm City Express (NPSL), 1-0, at MUSC Health Stadium on Wednesday night. Gordon Wild’s 83rd minute goal was the difference on the attacking end while the back three and Odisnel Cooper helped the team earn their sixth shutout in nine games.
The match against the Battery will be Atlanta’s first in this year’s Open Cup. United currently sits at the top of the MLS Eastern Conference with an 8-1-3 record.
The Battery and Atlanta met in the fourth round of the Open Cup last year at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. Charleston jumped out to a 2-0 first-half lead in the match, but eventually fell, 3-2, to the MLS side. The former affiliates played to a 0-0 draw at MUSC Health Stadium during this year’s Carolina Challenge Cup in February.
The Battery has earned eight wins over MLS teams in the Open Cup. Five of those upsets came under the direction of current Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser. The Battery beat Houston Dynamo and FC Dallas on their way to the U.S. Open Cup Final in 2008, which is the last time a lower-division side reached the final.
