Orlando City SC vs. Atlanta United | 2019 US Open Cup Preview

USOC - 2019 - ORL vs ATL

2019 U.S. Open Cup — Semifinals
Orlando City SC vs. Atlanta United
Exploria Stadium — Orlando
August 6 — 7:30 PM ET


STREAMING: ESPN+


Rivals Orlando City SC and Atlanta United square off Wednesday night at Exploria Stadium with a trip to the U.S. Open Cup final on the line.


This is the first USOC meeting between the Eastern Conference rivals and the Lions are seeking their first-ever win over the Five Stripes.


Orlando City SC


Orlando City SC reached the semifinals for the first time thanks to a penalty-kick shootout win over New York City FC in the quarterfinals. Chris Mueller broke the scoreless stalemate in the 61st minute before Maxi Moralez leveled deep into stoppage time. Adam Grinwis made a pair of saves in the shootout to secure safe passage into the semis.


The Lions are coming off a 2-0 home win over FC Dallas. Tesho Akindele opened the scoring in the 13th minute and Carlos Ascues tacked on the insurance tally in second-half stoppage time. 


Atlanta United


The Five Stripes avoided a Cupset, beating Saint Louis FC 2-0 to reach the semifinals. Pity Martinez gave the defending MLS Cup champions the lead with a a deft chip of SLFC goalkeeper Tomas Gomez in the 52nd minute. Josef Martinez added a penalty in second-half stoppage time to seal victory over the USL Championship side.  


Over the weekend Atlanta picked up a third win in their last four league games, defeating the LA Galaxy 3-0 on Saturday in front of 72,548 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, an MLS single-game attendance record in the regular season. Own goals by Dave Romney and Giancarlo Gonzalez 20 minutes apart in the first half gave the hosts a two-goal bulge at halftime. Josef Martinez tacked on a 73rd-minute penalty kick to seal the victory.  


Series Matchup


  • This is the first meeting between Orlando City SC and Atlanta United in the U.S. Open Cup


Officials


  • To be announced