For the second consecutive year, the Charleston Battery will travel to play Atlanta United (MLS) in the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup. The match is scheduled for 7:30 PM on Wednesday, June 6 at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, Georgia.
The Battery advanced to the fourth round of the tournament with consecutive 1-0 wins. In the first, Atlanta United loanee Patrick Okonkwo scored his first professional goal early in the match to lift Charleston over South Georgia Tormenta FC (PDL).
The Battery left it late in their third round match with Elm City Express (NPSL), but again it was an Atlanta United loanee who was the difference in the game. Gordon Wild scored a stunning goal in the 83rd minute to power the Battery past the Express and into the fourth round.
Wednesday’s match against the Battery is Atlanta’s first in this year’s Open Cup. The MLS side currently sits at the top of the Eastern Conference, two points ahead of New York City FC who they will meet on Saturday following their clash with the Battery.
Atlanta beat the Philadelphia Union, 3-1, in their last outing Saturday night at Mercedes Benz Stadium. Josef Martinez scored a hatrick in the match and extended his lead in the MLS golden boot race.
Martinez was the difference maker when Atlanta and Charleston met in the fourth round of the 2017 Open Cup. The Venezuelan striker played a full 90 minutes and scored a game-changing equalizer in United’s 3-2 win over the Battery last year.
The rematch will be streamed live on ussoccer.com and atlutd.com. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM. The official watch party for Charleston Battery vs. Atlanta United is at DIG in the Park in Park Circle, North Charleston.
