Atlanta Silverbacks draw PDL's Reading United AC in first round of U.S. Open Cup

The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is entering its 103rd year of competition, and while Atlanta United FC supporters will need to wait until next summer to see their team in it, the state of Georgia will be represented. The NPSL's Atlanta Silverbacks FC will open U.S. Open Cup play against the PDL's Reading United AC on May 11.

Reading United, who finished 4th in the PDL last season, received an at-large bid and will join 14 other PDL sides in the first round of the competition. They advanced to the second round of last year's Cup but lost to USL's Harrisburg City Islanders 3-0.

This is a different Atlanta Silverbacks side than the one that played in last year's Cup. The former Silverbacks, which operated in the NASL until January before being suspended after failing to find suitable ownership, fell to the MLS's New York Red Bulls 3-0 in the fourth round. The "new" Silverbacks are the senior side's former reserves team.

If the Silverbacks defeat Reading United, they will travel to play fellow NPSL side Chattanooga FC. Ironically, Chattanooga lost to the old Silverbacks in the third round of the Cup last year.