Preview: Atlanta Silverbacks host Charleston Battery in the 2nd Round of 2017 U.S. Open Cup

Match: Atlanta Silverbacks vs Charleston Battery

Kickoff: Wednesday May 17 at 3:30pm

Venue: Atlanta Silverbacks Park

Stream: To be announced

Tickets: Single-game Tickets

The Atlanta Silverbacks will host the Charleston Battery Wednesday afternoon in the second round of the 2017 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

The Silverbacks and Battery were league rivals for eight years in the A-League and five years in the USL First Division in the 1990s and 2000s. The Silverbacks eventually went on to become founding members of the NASL reborn while the Battery moved to USLPRO, now USL.

During their time in the same league, the clubs contested for the Southern Derby Cup, even being crowned co-champions in 2005. Both clubs are promoting that rivalry ahead of the match.

Wednesday’s match will be the Silverbacks’ fourth in seven days. They defeated SC United Batams (PDL) on May 10 in the first round of the Open Cup, then played two league matches, home and away, on Friday and Saturday. They currently sit in first place in the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division standings.

Despite the congestion, the Silverbacks have made the 2017 Open Cup their focus, resting key players in league matches to prepare for the contest.

Charleston have an established history as “Giant Killers” in the Open Cup. They have made it to the quarter finals three times, the semi-finals twice, and the finals once in 2008. The Black and Yellow will look to continue their successful start to the 2017 season with a strong cup run.

The Battery currently sit in first in the USL Eastern Conference standings with 19 points from eight matches and a game in hand over second and third place.

The rivalry will be renewed Wednesday both on and off the field. Two Atlanta-based supporters groups, the Atlanta Ultras and Terminus Legion, will be supporting opposing sides at the match. Tickets for supporters and soccer fans alike are available at AtlantaSilverbacksFC.com.