Atlanta United fell to Indy Eleven 2-1 in the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals at Fifth Third Stadium on Tuesday night. Nick Firmino scored his third goal of the tournament, but Atlanta came up short to end its run in this year’s Open Cup.
Firmino came away with Atlanta’s best chance in the 28th minute. Tristan Muyumba created space inside the box near the end-line before crossing to Firmino but he couldn’t get his left foot around and pushed the attempt wide. Minutes later, it was Indy Eleven striking first from Augustine Williams. Off a counterattack, Douglas Martínez got free up the right wing and played a perfect cross to the edge of the box for Williams who tapped his first touch past Josh Cohen for the 1-0 lead.
Interim head coach Rob Valentino made a triple sub in the 57th minute, bringing on Luke Brennan, Matt Edwards, and Dax McCarty. Brennan nearly scored just six minutes later after heading a cross from McCarty on target, only to be saved by the outstretched arm of Hunter Sulte.
Indy then added insurance in the 83rd minute via an own goal from McCarty. A dangerous cross came in from Williams inside the six-yard box where McCarty tried to flick it away from danger, but his attempt went into the back of the net.
Firmino tried to give Atlanta a lifeline in stoppage time but it was too late. His stoppage-time goal was just a consolation as The Five Stripes were eliminated from the tournament.
Atlanta United (6-10-6, 24 points) returns to action on Saturday, July 13 when it travels to play CF Montréal at Stade Saputo (7:30 p.m. ET, MLS Season Pass, 92.9 The Game, La Mejor). All Atlanta United matches are available with an MLS Season Pass subscription, located on the Apple TV app.
-Jon Jones
Photo: Courtesy of ATLUTD