Atlanta United draws Memphis 901 FC in 2023 U.S. Open Cup Third Round

Atlanta United will host Memphis 901 FC in the Third Round of the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, Georgia on Wednesday, April 26. The exact kickoff time will be announced at a later date. Ticket presale for the match begins on Friday, April 7. For more information go to atlutd.com/tickets. Featured matches from the first three rounds of the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup will be streamed live for free to a worldwide audience on the Bleacher Report (B/R) App and B/R Football YouTube Channel. This year’s champion will earn a berth to the 2024 Concacaf Champions League.

Memphis 901 FC plays in the USL Championship and is coached by former Atlanta United and ATL UTD 2 head coach Stephen Glass. Memphis holds an 0-2-1 (W-L-T) record so far in the 2023 USL Championship season. Last year, Memphis had its best-ever USL regular season earning 68 points and finishing in second place in the Eastern Conference. They advanced to the Conference Semifinals in the USL Championship playoffs. 

The official draw for the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup aired Thursday, April 6 at 6:30 p.m. on Bleacher Report (B/R) Live and B/R Football YouTube

Atlanta United is in the South group which also includes Birmingham Legion FC (USLC), Chattanooga FC (NISA), Memphis 901 FC (USLC), Nashville SC (MLS) and San Antonio FC (USLC).

What is the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup?

The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is a single-elimination competition that features teams from a variety of American soccer leagues, including MLS and USL. The tournament is the oldest ongoing national soccer competition in the U.S. and the third-longest-running open soccer tournament in the world.

As an MLS club, Atlanta United enters the tournament in the third round, which will take place April 25-26. In the third round, 18 MLS clubs enter the competition. A group of eight MLS clubs will enter in the next round, the Round of 32.

The winner of the Open Cup will win prize money and earn an automatic spot in the 2024 Concacaf Champions League.

Atlanta United’s participation in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

Last year, Atlanta United entered the tournament as the defending champions. In 2022, the competition returned after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Atlanta United beat Chattanooga FC 6-0 in the third round at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. In the Round of 32, Atlanta United went toe-to-toe with MLS side Nashville SC but lost in extra time 3-2 and was eliminated.

Atlanta United was crowned champions of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2019. Atlanta United knocked off rival Orlando City 2-0 in the semifinals, then beat Minnesota United 2-1 in the final to win the first Open Cup title in club history.

Atlanta United enters this year’s tournament in the third round. Entrance at this stage means the 5-Stripes will need to win six matches to be crowned champions.