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2019 U.S. Open Cup final

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2019 U.S. Open Cup Final
Event2019 U.S. Open Cup
Atlanta United FC Minnesota United FC
MLS MLS
2 1
DateAugust 27, 2019
VenueMercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
RefereeAllen Chapman
Attendance35,709
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The 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final was a soccer match that was played on August 27, 2019, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. It determined the winner of the 2019 U.S. Open Cup, the 106th edition of the oldest competition in U.S. soccer, which was open to amateur and professional soccer teams affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation. The match was contested by two Major League Soccer teams making their debuts in the final: hosts Atlanta United FC, in their first Open Cup final, and Minnesota United FC; both teams entered MLS as expansion teams during the 2017 season.

Atlanta won the match 2–1, taking their second major trophy and qualifying for the 2020 CONCACAF Champions League. The match was broadcast in English on online streaming service ESPN+. Atlanta was given first priority to host the match if they advanced, based on a random draw conducted by the United States Soccer Federation.

Road to the final

Further information: 2019 U.S. Open Cup

The U.S. Open Cup is an annual soccer competition open to adult teams in the United States that are affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation, including professional and amateur teams but excluding reserve and academy squads.[1][2] The 2019 tournament was the 106th edition of the U.S. Open Cup, which is the oldest soccer tournament in the United States, and featured 84 participating teams.[3] The 21 eligible MLS teams entered in the fourth round, facing teams from the USL Championship and National Premier Soccer League.[4]

The finalists, Atlanta United FC and Minnesota United FC, both play in MLS and entered the league during the 2017 season as expansion teams.[5][6] Both teams also represent states that had never sent a team to a U.S. Open Cup final. The match was the first competition final for Minnesota United since they entered MLS.[5][7] Minnesota midfielder Osvaldo Alonso is playing in his sixth Open Cup final, having played for the Seattle Sounders FC during their previous five appearances (including four wins) and the Charleston Battery in the 2008 final.[8][9]

Atlanta United FC

Round Opponent Score
4th Charleston Battery (H) 3–1 (a.e.t.)
R16 Columbus Crew SC (A) 3–2
QF Saint Louis FC (H) 2–0
SF Orlando City SC (A) 2–0
Key: (H) = Home; (A) = Away

Atlanta United FC, the defending MLS Cup champions, were eliminated in the Round of 16 during the previous edition of the U.S. Open Cup—setting an attendance record for the tournament during their match against the Chicago Fire.[10] They were scheduled to play their first match of the 2019 tournament on June 11 against the Charleston Battery in Charleston, South Carolina, but weather conditions forced it to be moved to Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, Georgia.[11] The match was played behind closed doors on June 13 and ended in a 3–1 victory for Atlanta United, who fell behind in the 20th minute to a goal by Charleston's Ian Svantesson, but equalized through Romario Williams in the 79th minute. In extra time, reserve striker Brandon Vazquez scored twice to earn his team a place in the Round of 16.[12]

Atlanta played away to the Columbus Crew in the Round of 16 after being drawn into the Mideast regional bracket. Vazquez scored twice, in the 5th and 65th minutes, and defender Miles Robinson added his first goal for the club in the 14th minute. The Crew had cut the lead to 2–1 before halftime through a goal from David Accam and later scored in the 71st minute when Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan deflected a shot into his own net for an own goal, but lost 3–2 as Atlanta United advanced to the quarterfinals.[13] Atlanta fielded its first team in the quarterfinals against Saint Louis FC, a USL team that had eliminated two MLS teams in prior rounds of the tournament.[14] Despite outshooting Saint Louis 21–11 and dominating possession, Atlanta were unable to break through the team's defense until the 53rd minute, when Pity Martínez scored from within the penalty area. A penalty kick, awarded to Atlanta during stoppage time after a foul on Dion Pereira, was converted by Josef Martínez to end the match with a 2–0 victory.[15]

In its semifinal fixture against Orlando City SC, Atlanta fielded another full-strength lineup and took the lead in the 37th minute through a goal by Eric Remedi after his initial shot was saved by goalkeeper Adam Grinwis. After two chances to equalize were missed by Orlando, Atlanta's Emerson Hyndman scored his first goal for the club, finishing from 10 yards (9.1 m) in the 78th minute.[16]

Minnesota United FC

Round Opponent Score
4th Sporting Kansas City (H) 4–1
R16 Houston Dynamo (A) 3–2
QF New Mexico United (H) 6–1
SF Portland Timbers (H) 2–1
Key: (H) = Home; (A) = Away

Minnesota United FC (nicknamed the Loons) began their U.S. Open Cup campaign with a 4–1 defeat of Sporting Kansas City at their home stadium, Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Minnesota took the lead in the second minute through a goal by Ángelo Rodríguez, but Kansas City's Gerso Fernandes scored an equalizer in the 27th minute to keep the teams level at halftime. In the first 20 minutes of the second half, Minnesota scored three goals to clinch their place in the Round of 16, including a brace by Darwin Quintero.[17]

The Loons played away to the Houston Dynamo in the Round of 16, a rematch of their previous elimination in the 2018 U.S. Open Cup, which Houston went on to win. The Dynamo took a 2–0 lead in the first half with goals by Ronaldo Peña and Tomás Martínez, but Quintero scored twice to equalize for Minnesota–finishing from the penalty area in the 66th minute and long range in the 82nd. Substitute forward Mason Toye scored on a tap-in in the 89th minute to complete a 3–2 comeback victory for Minnesota United as they advanced to their first quarterfinals.[18]

In the quarterfinals, Minnesota United hosted USL side New Mexico United, who had upset two MLS teams and arranged a special charter flight for their fans to attend the match at Allianz Field.[19] Santi Moar scored the opening goal for New Mexico in the seventh minute, but the Loons responded with five goals before halftime and an additional goal in the second half. The equalizer for Minnesota was scored in the tenth minute by Ángelo Rodríguez, who went on to earn a first-half hat-trick between goals by Darwin Quintero and Ján Greguš; Miguel Ibarra was the lone goalscorer in the second half, finishing his in the 62nd minute.[20]

Minnesota hosted the Portland Timbers in the semifinals in a rematch of an MLS fixture three days earlier at Allianz Field that ended in a 1–0 victory for the hosts.[21] The Loons took the lead in the 22nd minute with a penalty scored by Darwin Qunitero that was awarded after a free kick struck defender Claude Dielna's hand. Portland's Brian Fernández equalized for his side in first half stoppage time with a close-range shot from inside the penalty area, but the winning goal for Minnesota was scored in the 64th minute by Mason Toye, who finished a long run with a shot from inside the box; a potential equalizer for Portland in stoppage time bounced off goalkeeper Vito Mannone and hit the post before heading wide.[5]

Venue

Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta hosted the final

Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta hosted the U.S. Open Cup final for the first time in its history. The stadium previously hosted MLS Cup in December 2018 and the Campeones Cup a week before the U.S. Open Cup final; both matches were won by Atlanta.[22] Atlanta was given first priority to host the final during the semifinal draw conducted by the United States Soccer Federation on July 11, 2019.[23] It was the thirteenth match in U.S. Open Cup history to be played indoors, including the first final.[24]

Broadcasting

The match was broadcast on ESPN+, an online streaming service that carried all other matches of the tournament.[25] The competition final had previously been broadcast on national television sine 1994, with the exception of the 1996 final.[26] The English language broadcast was called by play-by-play commentator Jon Champion and color analyst Taylor Twellman.[27]

Match

Summary

The match was watched by 35,709 spectators, breaking the attendance record for the tournament final that was set during the 2011 final in Seattle.[28] Approximately 750 people supporting Minnesota United were seated in the three designated away sections.[29] Atlanta played most of their starting lineup that was used a week earlier in MLS play, including a five-midfielder formation,[30] while Minnesota rested Darwin Quintero and replaced him with Hassani Dotson in the starting lineup.[31]

Atlanta had several chances to score early in the match, including a shot from Josef Martínez in the second minute that was ruled offside, and took the lead in the tenth minute through an own goal from Minnesota.[32] Defender Leandro González Pírez received a through ball from Pity Martínez and swung for a high cross from the end line that was deflected by Minnesota defender Chase Gasper, beating goalkeeper Vito Mannone.[30] Minnesota missed a chance to equalize two minutes later as defender Michael Boxall's header was off target, and conceded a second goal to Atlanta in the 16th minute.[33] Justin Meram's low cross from the left flank found Pity Martínez, who shot from the center of the box to claim a 2–0 lead.[32] Five minutes later, Meram made a similar cross into the box that was collected by Ezequiel Barco for a curling shot that was pushed wide by Mannone.[33]

Minnesota kept pressing for a goal, including a header by Ike Opara in the 33rd minute that went wide of the post, and reduced the lead to 2–1 two minutes after halftime. Minnesota midfielder Kevin Molino ended his run down the right flank with a low pass to Robin Lod at the top of the six-yard box, which he volleyed into the goal off the left post.[29] Molino had a chance to equalize for Minnesota in the 69th minute after receiving a deflection from Atlanta defender Florentin Pogba, but was unable to beat Brad Guzan with his one-time shot.[33] Josef Martínez had a pair of missed chances to extend Atlanta's lead to three goals, including one shot that was ruled offside.[32]

Atlanta played the last 16 minutes of the match with 10 players after González Pírez was sent off in the 74th minute, having earned two yellow cards within three minutes for dissent and a unsporting challenge on Molino.[30] Minnesota manager Adrian Heath responded by substituting Quintero,[31] while Atlanta's Frank de Boer brought on Franco Escobar and switched to a formation with five defenders to protect the lead.[30] Minnesota had the majority of possession late in the match and earned several corner kicks, but were unable to take advantage to create a scoring chance until stoppage time.[29][32] Opara chested down a ball and shot towards the goal in the first minute of stoppage time, requiring Guzan to make a diving save. In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Opara headed down a cross that fell to Boxall in the six-yard box, but his volleyed shot went over the crossbar.[33]

Details

Atlanta United FC2–1Minnesota United FC
 Report Lod 47'
Attendance: 35,709
Referee: Allen Chapman
Atlanta United FC
Minnesota United FC
GK 1 United States Brad Guzan (c)
DF 5 Argentina Leandro González Pírez Yellow card 71' Yellow-red card 74'
DF 12 United States Miles Robinson
DF 4 Guinea Florentin Pogba
MF 24 Germany Julian Gressel downward-facing red arrow 85'
MF 6 United States Darlington Nagbe
MF 11 Argentina Eric Remedi
MF 14 Iraq Justin Meram
MF 8 Argentina Ezequiel Barco downward-facing red arrow 70'
FW 10 Argentina Pity Martínez downward-facing red arrow 76'
FW 7 Venezuela Josef Martínez
Substitutes:
GK 25 United States Alec Kann
DF 3 United States Michael Parkhurst
DF 18 United States Jeff Larentowicz upward-facing green arrow 85'
MF 29 England Mo Adams
FW 16 United States Emerson Hyndman upward-facing green arrow 70'
FW 15 Paraguay Héctor Villalba
FW 2 Argentina Franco Escobar Yellow card 87' upward-facing green arrow 76'
Manager:
Netherlands Frank de Boer
GK 1 Italy Vito Mannone
DF 19 Madagascar Romain Métanire
DF 3 United States Ike Opara
DF 15 New Zealand Michael Boxall
DF 77 United States Chase Gasper Yellow card 87'
MF 8 Slovakia Ján Greguš
MF 6 Cuba Osvaldo Alonso (c) Yellow card 44' downward-facing red arrow 75'
MF 31 United States Hassani Dotson Yellow card 29'
MF 7 Trinidad and Tobago Kevin Molino downward-facing red arrow 85'
FW 23 United States Mason Toye
FW 16 Finland Robin Lod downward-facing red arrow 70'
Substitutes:
GK 33 United States Bobby Shuttleworth
DF 14 United States Brent Kallman
MF 25 Colombia Darwin Quintero upward-facing green arrow 75'
MF 10 United States Miguel Ibarra
MF 12 Kenya Lawrence Olum
FW 13 United States Ethan Finlay upward-facing green arrow 70'
FW 99 Ghana Abu Danladi upward-facing green arrow 85'
Manager:
England Adrian Heath

Assistant referees:
Brian Poeschel
Nick Uranga
Fourth official:
Ramy Touchan
Reserve assistant referee:
Brian Dunn

Match rules

Post-match

The U.S. Open Cup was the third trophy to be won by Atlanta United FC within nine months, following the MLS Cup and Campeones Cup.[34] It was also the first time that the U.S. Open Cup was won by a team from the state of Georgia.[24] Atlanta collected $300,000 in prize money as champion and a berth in the 2020 CONCACAF Champions League.[33] As runners-up, Minnesota United FC earned $100,000 in prize money.[35] Atlanta coach Frank de Boer praised his team's performance, in particular contributions from Justin Meram.[36] Minnesota head coach Adrian Heath praised his players for their response to the first two goals and for their progress compared to earlier matches they played in Atlanta.[29][37]

References

  1. ^ "Five Things to Know About the 2019 Open Cup". US Soccer. May 6, 2019. Archived from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  2. ^ Rodriguez, Alicia (January 31, 2019). "2019 US Open Cup format and schedule released". MLSsoccer.com. Archived from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  3. ^ Fontela, Jonah (August 5, 2019). "Then There Were Four: USOC 2019 Semifinal Preview". US Soccer. Archived from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  4. ^ Dyer, Kristian (June 10, 2019). "U.S. Open Cup fourth round preview: Will MLS teams show their superiority?". ESPN. Archived from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
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  6. ^ Eliason, Kyle (August 8, 2019). "Minnesota United tops Portland Timbers to advance to U.S. Open Cup final". Pro Soccer USA. Tribune Publishing. Archived from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  7. ^ De Witt, Matthew (August 8, 2019). "2019 US Open Cup Semifinals: Mason Toye's winner sends Minnesota United past Timbers, into first-ever Final". TheCup.us. Archived from the original on August 10, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  8. ^ Zgoda, Jerry (August 7, 2019). "Loons coach, player want a chance to play for U.S. Open Cup trophy". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on August 7, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  9. ^ Fontela, Jonah (August 14, 2019). "Ozzie – An Open Cup Legend in Living Color". U.S. Soccer. Archived from the original on August 15, 2019. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  10. ^ Northam, Mitchaell (June 20, 2018). "Nikolić goal pushes Chicago Fire past Atlanta United in U.S. Open Cup". Pro Soccer USA. Tribune Publishing. Archived from the original on August 8, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  11. ^ Roberson, Doug (June 13, 2019). "Atlanta United will play Charleston in Kennesaw in a closed game". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on August 8, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  12. ^ Roberson, Doug (June 14, 2019). "Atlanta United's reserves key in U.S. Open Cup win". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on August 8, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
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  14. ^ "STLFC knocked out of Open Cup with loss to Atlanta United". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. July 11, 2019. Archived from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  15. ^ Roberson, Doug (July 10, 2019). "Pity Martinez goal lifts Atlanta United to U.S. Open Cup semis". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  16. ^ Roberson, Doug (August 6, 2019). "Atlanta United tops Orlando, will play for U.S. Open Cup title". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on August 7, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  17. ^ Ryan, Megan (June 13, 2019). "Minnesota United advances in U.S. Open Cup with 4-1 win over Sporting Kansas City". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on August 8, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  18. ^ Dart, Tom (June 19, 2019). "Minnesota United mounts late comeback to top Houston 3-2 in U.S. Open Cup". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on August 10, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  19. ^ Yodice, James (July 6, 2019). "NM United becomes major local attraction". Albuquerque Journal. Archived from the original on August 10, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  20. ^ Greder, Andy (July 10, 2019). "Loons run in U.S. Open Cup continues with 6-1 win over New Mexico". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Archived from the original on July 12, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  21. ^ Goldberg, Jamie (August 7, 2019). "Portland Timbers ousted by Minnesota United in semifinals of U.S. Open Cup". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  22. ^ Roberson, Doug (August 6, 2019). "Atlanta United will host U.S. Open Cup on Aug. 27". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on August 8, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  23. ^ "Orlando City SC and Minnesota United FC to Host 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Semifinals" (Press release). United States Soccer Federation. July 11, 2019. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
  24. ^ a b Hunte, Sydney (August 28, 2019). "2019 US Open Cup Final: Record crowd watches Atlanta United become first Georgia team to lift the trophy". TheCup.us. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  25. ^ "All U.S. Open Cup Matches Will Air Exclusively on ESPN+ Through 2022" (Press release). United States Soccer Federation. April 5, 2019. Archived from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
  26. ^ Hakala, Josh (August 20, 2018). "2018 US Open Cup Final to air on ESPN channel for fourth year in a row". TheCup.us. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  27. ^ "U.S. Open Cup championship preview: Minnesota United at Atlanta United". Star Tribune. August 26, 2019. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  28. ^ Roberson, Doug (August 27, 2019). "Atlanta United sets U.S. Open Cup finals attendance record". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  29. ^ a b c d Zgoda, Jerry (August 28, 2019). "Minnesota United falls short in U.S. Open Cup final, losing 2-1 in Atlanta". Star Tribune. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  30. ^ a b c d Roberson, Doug (August 27, 2019). "Atlanta United wins U.S. Open Cup". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  31. ^ a b Zgoda, Jerry (August 28, 2019). "Quintero benched until late in match, declines to talk about it". Star Tribune. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  32. ^ a b c d Fuhrmeister, Chris (August 27, 2019). "Josef Martínez on Atlanta's Open Cup win: 'We are the [expletive] champions'". Pro Soccer USA. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  33. ^ a b c d e "Record Crowd Sees Ten-Man Atlanta United Claim First U.S. Open Cup Title With 2-1 Win Vs. Minnesota United FC". U.S. Soccer. August 27, 2019. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  34. ^ Gonzalez, Roger (August 28, 2019). "Atlanta United continues dominant run, wins another trophy in U.S. Open Cup final vs. Minnesota United". CBS Sports. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  35. ^ Rueter, Jeff (August 28, 2019). "'We should still be playing': Loss in U.S. Open Cup final leaves a sting for Loons". The Athletic. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  36. ^ "Post Match Quotes - U.S. Open Cup Final". Atlanta United FC. August 28, 2019. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
  37. ^ Patrick, Joe (August 28, 2019). "In the end, Atlanta United win US Open Cup Final with old-fashioned grit". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
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