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KENNESAW, Ga. (June 6, 2018) — Atlanta United defeated Charleston Battery 3-0 Wednesday night in front of 9,742 fans at Fifth Third Bank Stadium to advance to the Round of 16 in the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Andrew Carleton, Ezequiel Barco and Romario Williams all scored for Atlanta while Alec Kann made one save to keep the clean sheet. The team will learn its Round of 16 opponent on Thursday, June 7 with a live feed starting at 11 a.m. EST on ussoccer.com.
In front of the largest crowd for a sporting event in Fifth Third Bank Stadium history, Atlanta opened the scoring with a 30-yard rocket from Powder Springs native Andrew Carleton in the 14th minute. Carleton took a pass from Julian Gressel, dribbled near the middle of the pitch before unloading a shot near the left corner. With a diving attempt, Odisnel Cooper was able to get his right hand on the shot, but not enough to make the save. It was Carleton’s first career goal with the First Team.
After halftime, Barco doubled the lead from the penalty spot for his fourth career goal with the team. Williams drew the penalty on the edge of the box after he was taken down by Skylar Thomas. Barco buried his attempt to Cooper’s right.
Williams then finished the scoring in the 64th minute with a low, left-footed drive that beat Cooper to the far post. Williams received a pass from Barco, then took a pair of dribbles around a Charleston defender before quickly unleashing a shot.
Atlanta United returns to MLS action against New York City FC on Saturday, June 9 (12:30 p.m., FOX Sports Southeast).
MATCH RESOURCES
LINE SCORE
Atlanta United 3, Charleston Battery 0
Fifth Third Bank Stadium
Kennesaw, Georgia
STATS
Shots: 12-11 Atlanta
Shots on Target: 7-2 Atlanta
Corner kicks: 5-4 Charleston
Fouls committed: 13-7 Charleston
Saves: 4-1 Charleston
Clearances: 14-8 Atlanta
Offside: 2-1 Charleston
Possession: 56-44 Atlanta
Passing Accuracy: 85-76 Atlanta
SCORING SUMMARY
ATL – Andrew Carleton (Julian Gressel) 14’ [HIGHLIGHT]
ATL – Ezequiel Barco (penalty) 47’ [HIGHLIGHT]
ATL – Romario Williams (Ezequiel Barco) 64’ [HIGHLIGHT]
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY
CHS – Vincenzo Candela (yellow) 82’
ATLANTA UNITED STARTING LINEUP
Alec Kann; Sal Zizzo, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez ©, Miles Robinson, Franco Escobar; Kevin Kratz, Julian Gressel (Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu – 71’); Ezequiel Barco (Chris Goslin – 86’), Andrew Carleton, Brandon Vazquez; Romario Williams.
Substitutes not used: Mitch Hildebrandt, Mikey Ambrose, Miguel Almirón, Darlington Nagbe, Yosef Samuel.
CHARLESTON BATTERY STARTING LINEUP
Odisnel Cooper; Neveal Hackshaw (Jay Bolt – 74’), Taylor Mueller, Skylar Thomas; Jarad van Schaik, Vincenzo Candela, Tah Anunga, O’Brian Woodbine (Nicholas Rittmeyer – 56’); Ataulla Guerra (Victor Mansary – 82’), Ian Svantesson, Kotaro Higashi.
Substitutes not used: Angelo Kelly-Rosales, Robert Beebe, Joe Kuzminsky, Ryan Arambula.
ATTENDANCE
9,742
OFFICIALS
Guido Gonzales (referee), Nick Uranga (assistant), Brian Marshall (assistant), Kevin Huet (fourth).
TEAM NOTES
- It was the highest attended sporting event in Fifth Third Bank Stadium history.
- Andrew Carleton scored his first-career goal with the First Team. Earlier this year, he scored his first professional goal with Atlanta United 2. He also added his first career MLS assist on March 17 against Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
- Kevin Kratz had a game-high 86 touches and five tackles.
- Carleton finished second on the team with three tackles.
- Ezequiel Barco led the team with a 92.9 passing percentage.
- Chris Goslin made his first team debut after he subbed on in the 86th minute for Barco.
- Sal Zizzo made his 12th career appearance in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
