Massive MLS test awaits 901 FC in Third Round of US Open Cup

One of the many cool things about cup competitions like the US Open Cup (or the FA Cup in England or the Copa del Rey in Spain) is that it is the only time teams from various leagues get an opportunity to play competitive games against each other. This can lead to all sorts of craziness like over-capacity crowds at small venues and massive upsets (or as the American soccer Twitter universe has taken to calling them, “Cupsets”). Just last year the Sacramento Republic, who like Memphis 901 FC competes in the USL Championship, scored several Cupsets over MLS teams: 2-0 over the San Jose Earthquakes in the Round of 16, then 2-1 over the LA Galaxy in the Quarterfinals, and then a 5-4 win on penalties against Sporting Kansas City in the Semifinals before falling 3-0 in the Final to Orlando City. Memphis 901 FC now finds itself in a position to potentially replicate that run as they get set to take on Atlanta United of MLS.

Memphis 901 FC has actually played an MLS team in the Open Cup before. Back in their inaugural season in 2019, they hosted Orlando City in the stadium out at Mike Rose Soccer Complex and drew an over-capacity crowd of 3,088. It was an entertaining, back and forth game that 901 FC eventually lost 3-1. This time around they’re on the road playing Atlanta United who was been one of the (if not THE) biggest brands in all of American soccer since their debut in 2017. It is a bit interesting that this is the first time that Memphis has played Atlanta United, given the Atlanta’s willingness to play preseason games against lower division opponents around the Southeastern United States (multiple games against Chattanooga FC and one against Birmingham Legion). There is also an added layer of intrigue as current 901 FC boss Stephen Glass was the manager for Atlanta United after they fired Frank de Boer during the 2020 season. Perhaps some time in the near future, Memphis can use those connections and find itself added to that list of preseason opponents for Atlanta.

901 FC earned their spot in this game after defeating One Knoxville SC in the previous round on a 124th minute winner from Jeremy Kelly. That win seemed to spark a little bit of something for Memphis as they are now riding a four game unbeaten streak across all competitions. Tournament play is frequently about who is getting hot at the right time and 901 FC is starting to heat up.

While it may be that 901 FC is heating up, Atlanta United started hot and hasn’t cooled down. This is their first game in the Open Cup this year but so far in MLS they look like a contender. They currently sit 3rd in the Eastern Conference with 18 points and have only lost one game (a bizarre 6-1 thrashing at the hands of the Columbus Crew). But it remains to be seen if manager Gonzalo Pineda will use a first choice lineup against the Beale Street Boys. Many fans in Memphis hoping for a Cupset would prefer that he not.

When, Where

Date: Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Venue: Fifth Third Bank Stadium

City: Kennesaw, Georgia

Time: 6:30pm CT

TV: YouTube

All-Time Series

First meeting

Next Game

Date: Saturday, April 29, 2023

Competition: USL Regular Season

Match-up: Memphis 901 FC vs. Louisville City

Venue: AutoZone Park

City: Memphis, Tennessee