MLS Atlanta United FC

Atlanta United Drops U.S. Open Cup Match to Nashville SC

Published on May 11, 2022 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Atlanta United FC News Release


NASHVILLE, Tennessee - Atlanta United fell to Nashville SC 3-2 Wednesday night at GEODIS Park in the Round of 32 of the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Thiago Almada and Luiz Araújo each scored first-half goals for Atlanta United, but Nashville answered with a pair of second-half goals to force extra time, where it ultimately found a winner in the 93rd minute.

Atlanta jumped out to an early lead courtesy of Almada in the 13th minute. Almada started the play by finding Marcelino Moreno near midfield. The midfielder took a few touches into Nashville's half and launched Andrew Gutman down the left flank with a perfectly weighted pass that Gutman reached near the end line before one-touching a pass back into the middle of the box. There, Almada beat Zimmerman to the pass and then a diving Joe Willis for the opening goal.

Araújo doubled the lead in the 29th minute with a highlight-reel goal to give Atlanta a 2-0 lead. Moreno picked up a loose ball near the edge of the box and fed Araujo in the box, who deftly one-touched the ball by Zimmerman, then cleanly struck it off a volley past Willis.

Hany Mukhtar brought Nashville within one in the 50th minute from the penalty spot. Alan Franco was ruled to have brought down Ake Loba in the box and subsequently received a yellow card. Mukhtar stepped up, hesitated on his run, and beat Bobby Shuttleworth to the keeper's left.

Nashville found the equalizer in second-half stoppage time off a long throw. After a pair of touches inside the box, the ball fell to Mukhtar who left it for Tah Brian Anunga near the right edge of the box. CJ Sapong then redirected Anunga's attempt into the right corner of the net. Ethan Zubak then gave Nashville the lead in the third minute of extra time. Zubak got in behind Atlanta's defense to force Bobby Shuttleworth out, but Zubak dribbled around and ultimately picked the far corner to slot home the eventual game-winner.

Atlanta United (4-4-2, 14 points) returns home to Mercedes-Benz Stadium for MLS action on Sunday, May 15 against New England Revolution (1:30 p.m. ESPN/ESPN Deportes, Sports Radio 92-9 The Game, La Mejor).

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