Young players help United win in U.S. Open Cup

Defense excellent, offense shaky in PK win over USL team.

Atlanta United manager Gonzalo Pineda said he wants the team to keep its fighting mentality after it defeated Charleston Battery 5-4 on penalty kicks to advance to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday at Patriots Point.

Because of schedule con- gestion — Atlanta United played at Nashville on May 18 and will host LAFC on Saturday — and the need to keep more first-team players fresh, Pineda chose a roster that included five Home- grown signees, each of whom played against Charleston, and another from Atlanta United 2. Standouts from that group included centerback Efrain Morales and winger Luke Brennan.

It wasn’t a smooth per- formance, but the team was able to limit the chances for Charleston, the best team in the USL this season, while it created several of its own. Josh Cohen sealed the vic- tory by stopping Charles- ton’s last two penalty kicks after the match ended 0-0.

“Everyone is important, anyone can do the job if they put in their 100%,” Pineda said. “I think it’s going to be a good recovery. I think everyone will be mentally very positive.”

Cohen said he told the backline — composed of Morales, Matt Edwards from Atlanta United 2, Luis Abram and Ronald Hernandez — to maintain communication throughout the match and to trust themselves. It pro- duced Atlanta United’s fifth shutout in all competitions this season.

“It’s gotten you to this level and to thispoint, and listen to the guys around youand learn from them because they might see something different,” he said.

Cohen’s heroics, which included four saves in regulation and extra time, won’t move him into the starting lineup for the first team, Pineda said. Pineda said that’s not because Cohen doesn’t deserve the opportunity but rather because starter Brad Guzan is playing well. Cohen has shutouts in his past four starts for Atlanta United in the U.S. Open Cup and for Atlanta United 2.

“I’m very blessed with three goalkeepers that I really, really trust in any moment,” Pineda said.

While the defense was a positive, Atlanta United’s offense continues to struggle. Setting aside an own goal scored by D.C. United, the team has scored one goal in its past 374 minutes. Jamal Thiare had several chances against Charleston but put only one on goal. Atlanta United put just two shots on goal against the Battery.

Pineda said the offense’s lack of production is a bit worrying, but he was more pleased that the team secured a positive result.

“A victory is a victory; it’s a cup (match),” he said. “I don’t care how we got the result. That’s why I praise the mentality of the kids, especially the kids, because the guys that have played many games, probably they know better, but we barely had preparation for this game.”