Columbus Crew 2-3 Atlanta United: A Song of Chaos and Rain

Atlanta United advanced past the Columbus Crew in the U.S Open Cup 3-2 thanks to a Brandon Vazquez brace and in spite of the torrential rain that arrived at Mapfre Stadium to start the second half.

This tweet by our own Payson Schwin sums it up pretty well.

The game got off to a dream start for the Five Stripes in the 5th minute thanks to a bad touch by a Columbus defender. Vazquez did not hesitate on the finish. If his form is any indication, he’s on his way into the 18, perhaps at Romario William’s expense.

Just ten minutes later, Miles Robinson doubled the tally off a corner, his first career goal for Atlanta United.

Vazquez had another chance shortly afterward thanks to another gaffe by the Columbus defense, (are you sensing a pattern here? ) from a ridiculously tight angle and was denied by the far post.

The teams traded chances back and forth until Darlington Nagbe went down and David Accam took the opportunity to put one past Brad Guzan’s outstretched hand.

As the skies opened up to start the second half, the game being played on the increasingly waterlogged pitch did the same.

It wasn’t long before Vazquez struck again, making his defender look absolutely foolish in the process.

At this point in the game, the field was such a mess that Guzan conceded an own goal after Waylon Francis lofted a dangerous ball. Brek Shea and Andrew Carleton came on for Justin Meram and Pity Martinez respectively, just in time for the rain delay.

Following the restart, Pogba checked in for Vazquez in the 80th minute, ending his fantastic night.

Atlanta maintained possession for the most part, and a frenzied cluster of shots by Columbus in the 87th minute was the last real threat. It was an entertainingly crazy game.

The Five Stripes will host the winner of St. Louis/Cincinnati in the quarterfinal match at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw on July 10th.