Atlanta United defeated Charleston Battery 3-0 Wednesday night in front of 9,742 fans at Fifth Third Bank Stadium to advance to the Round of 16 in the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Andrew Carleton, Ezequiel Barco and Romario Williams all scored for Atlanta while Alec Kann made one save to keep the clean sheet. The team will learn its Round of 16 opponent on Thursday, June 7 with a live feed starting at 11 a.m. EST on ussoccer.com.
In front of the largest crowd for a sporting event in Fifth Third Bank Stadium history, Atlanta opened the scoring with a 30-yard rocket from Powder Springs native Andrew Carleton in the 14th minute. Carleton took a pass from Julian Gressel, dribbled near the middle of the pitch before unloading a shot near the left corner. With a diving attempt, Odisnel Cooper was able to get his right hand on the shot, but not enough to make the save. It was Carleton’s first career goal with the First Team.
After halftime, Barco doubled the lead from the penalty spot for his fourth career goal with the team. Williams drew the penalty on the edge of the box after he was taken down by Skylar Thomas. Barco buried his attempt to Cooper’s right.
Williams then finished the scoring in the 64th minute with a low, left-footed drive that beat Cooper to the far post. Williams received a pass from Barco, then took a pair of dribbles around a Charleston defender before quickly unleashing a shot.
Atlanta United returns to MLS action against New York City FC on Saturday, June 9 (12:30 p.m., FOX Sports Southeast).