Atlanta United draw USL’s Charleston Battery in fourth round of 2018 U.S. Open Cup

Atlanta United hope that its second go at the U.S. Open Cup will be better than its first. It defeated then-USL affiliate Charleston in the fourth round in Kennesaw, but succumbed away to Miami FC in the fifth round thanks to a Kwadwo Poku goal deep in stoppage time.

This year, Atlanta learned that its quest for the Cup this year will begin the same way it began last year - at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw against the Battery - as the Open Cup’s fourth round draw was held on Thursday in Chicago. The winner of the June 6 match will advance to June 20’s fifth round.

Charleston opened its time in the competition last Wednesday as it defeated PDL side Tormenta FC 1-0 thanks to a 21st minute goal by Atlanta United loanee Patrick Okonkwo. Last night, it topped the NPSL’s Elm City Express by the same scoreline on a pretty strike by another Atlanta loanee, Gordon Wild, in the 83rd.

Along with Atlanta United, all U.S. based MLS teams enter the competition in the fourth round. Will we see another dream run like we saw with FC Cincinnati last year? Can Atlanta win it all and punch its ticket to the 2019 Concacaf Champions League? We’ll find out in the coming weeks and months as the finals are set for September 26.