Atlanta United defeated Chattanooga FC 3-1 on Wednesday night at Finley Stadium with goals from Cayman Togashi, Fafa Picault, and Pedro Amador. With the win, the five stripes advance to face Charlotte FC on the road in the Round of 16 on April 28 or 29.
Chattanooga scored an early opening goal in the sixth minute. Tate Robertson played a long ball down the right wing for Yves Tcheuyap to chase, and the right back sprinted in on goal and fired a shot into the upper right corner at the near post.
Atlanta created its first chance in the 16th minute when Matt Edwards sent in a cross from the right side to the center of the box for Togashi. He connected on the header, but the ball went straight to goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic.
The ability to interpret what every play needs. He’s a player with enormous qualities.”
Atlanta United Head Coach Tata Martino on what Jay Fortune adds to the midfield
Togashi leveled the match for Atlanta in the 21st minute. Jay Fortune received a pass at the edge of the box on the left side and skipped past a tackle before curling a low cross to the back post, where Togashi made a sliding finish into the net. It was Togashi’s first goal of the season and second of his Atlanta United career.
Atlanta took a 2-1 lead in the 64th minute with Picault finishing a good team sequence. The play started with Juan Berrocal playing a line-breaking pass through the center of the pitch to find Miguel Almirón running down the right side. Almirón cut inside and laid the ball off for Togashi. His shot attempt was blocked, but the deflection landed at the feet of Picault, who placed a finish off the left post and in for the first goal for the club.
Amador added a third goal in the 75th minute for good measure. Edwards sent a ball down the right sideline to Luke Brennan, who played a cutback from the end line into the center of the box through a pair of Chattanooga defenders, where Amador placed a left-footed finish into the net.
It was pretty clear, from coach to players, that the man of the night was Jay Fortune.
“He was crucial for us, very important. He was on both sides of the ball; he did very well,” said teammate and goalscorer Fafa Picault. “His breaking line runs that I know coach asked of him; he did very well in doing that, and it was very important for us.”
Atlanta United (1-5-1, 4 points) returns to action Saturday, April 18, when it hosts Nashville SC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET, Apple TV, Star 94, La Mejor).
-Jon Jones
Photo: Courtesy of ATLUTD