The Open Cup is back, baby. Despite a few early hiccups, including a returning Stian Gregersen needing to be subbed out in the 11th minute and players sliding on the pitch like it was made of ice, Atlanta United got back to the win column. The Five Stripes are now one small step closer to the best shot at a trophy this season, and they’ll now face either South Georgia Tormenta or Charleston Battery away from home in the next round. Here are your quick final whistle thoughts!
The youth and backups were energetic, if somewhat unrefined at the start
The starting XI for Gonzalo Pineda’s men was highly rotated, and featured young Ashton Gordon starting alongside Atlanta United 2’s captain Matt Edwards, with some veteran presence including Dax McCarty and Ronald Hernandez. Luke Brennan and Efrain Morales also started, and Noah Cobb was subbed in early after the aforementioned injury to Stian Gregersen. Keeper Josh Cohen also got his long-awaited first team minutes.
In many ways it was refreshing, if initially unpolished. The players felt the game out for about 25 minutes with no super dangerous chances, but then the wing play began opening up some opportunities. Unfortunately, they also gave Charlotte plenty of moments of their own. I definitely wouldn’t call it uninspired, but this team’s first half was indicative of the recent final third struggles.
But then the second half happened and all was good again!
Biggest takeaway is good minutes for players who aren’t playing much
Ultimately, some of these players getting minutes was one of the most important aspects of the evening. I can’t fault anyone for starting Stian because he needs to get back to fitness, but garbage luck is just that. Noah Cobb and Efrain Morales looked very solid together, and Dax and Cohen were great in orchestrating the field.
Firmino’s first goal was vintage Nick Firmino, and it was what lit a fire under the squad. The Five Stripes came alive at that point and pressured Charlotte heavily, and Firmino’s second goal was just…fun. A goal kick by Cohen intended for Daniel Rios cleared deeper to Caleb Wiley, who put a beauty of a ball back towards the top of the box for Firmino to pounce on. That extra bit of finesse was just what the team needed to start looking more dangerous on goal, and Firmino made Charlotte pay dearly.
Xande Silva also needed this game to both develop match fitness and perhaps build some confidence, and he looked really, really good. Here’s hoping that can translate to some MLS matches where the squad desperately needs some help on the left wing.
A win is a win, y’all, and a three goal win is even better. Sometimes it isn’t about how the wins happen, but simply returning to that feeling and building some confidence. Let us know what y’all thought down below!
It’s funny how Wiley played better when he wasn’t standing in a 3 man back line
I was quite surprised that Hernandez looked good, other than the foul “just outside the box”. Hopefully Gregersen’s concussion isn’t serious and he can return soon
A win feels good!