Atlanta United faces Indy Eleven in Open Cup decider

The Indy Eleven travel to face Atlanta United in their first trip to the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup quarterfinals. A historic feat, no doubt. But what about Atlanta United? Are the MLS giants ready for this battle or will they be embarrassed by the fearless Boys in Blue?

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Indy Eleven, a team founded in 2013, is on a roll. With 30 goals in 15 straight USLC games, they’re off to a flying start. Can you imagine? No other team has managed to score as often this season. That overwhelming performance came to an end against Orange County on June 22, but it doesn’t take away from the USLC’s longest streak yet.

The Boys in Blue are a first-half scoring machine. They’ve scored 18 goals so far, and defensively, they’ve held their opponents scoreless in 10 of 17 games in 2024. Impressive, right? Plus, they’ve gone 12 games unbeaten in all competitions, including an eight-game winning streak in the USL Championship, tied for fifth in league history.

On the other side, Atlanta United are no slouches. To reach the quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, they pulled off two hard-fought victories. First, in the round of 16, they beat Charlotte Independence 3-0 without conceding a goal, thanks to a brilliant entry from goalkeeper Josh Cohen. Then they faced the Charleston Battery in the USL Championship. The match went to a penalty shootout, and Cohen shone once again, giving Atlanta United a historic victory.

It’s time to get back on track. Atlanta United are looking to bounce back from a string of MLS losses. Long, tiring road trips have led to poor results against the New England Revolution and Real Salt Lake. Can they turn things around against the Indy Eleven?

Atlanta United also faced their share of challenges in reaching the quarter-finals. They beat Charlotte Independence 3-0 in the round of 16, with goalkeeper Josh Cohen making his debut for the club. In the next match, against the Charleston Battery, Atlanta United secured a penalty shootout victory, with Cohen stopping Charleston’s sixth attempt. They now face Indy Eleven, who sit third in the USL Championship conference, just behind the Charleston Battery.

The US Open Cup, the oldest soccer competition in the United States, is a golden opportunity for the Indy Eleven to prove their worth against MLS opponents. Atlanta United, the 2019 winners of the competition, are looking to return to glory after a difficult run of MLS games. They lost to the New England Revolution and Real Salt Lake during the week of July 4, and now they will be hoping to get back on track against the Indy Eleven.

Beyond soccer, Indy Eleven’s presence in the US Open Cup quarterfinals has a more symbolic significance. It’s proof that USL Championship teams can compete at a high level and challenge the giants of MLS. It’s an inspiring story not only for players, but for fans and the American soccer community. It’s a reminder that the game is unpredictable and that talent can emerge from any corner, regardless of the size of the club or league in which it plays.

For Atlanta United, the challenge is to keep their cool and use their experience to overcome a determined opponent. The pressure is on them, especially after recent setbacks in MLS. They need a win to regain confidence and continue their run in the US Open Cup. With talented players and a track record of success, Atlanta United has the tools to improve, but the resilience of Indy Eleven should not be underestimated.