By virtue of Jeremy Kelly’s last gasp, extra-time winner against One Knoxville SC on Tuesday night, Memphis 901 FC advanced to the third round of the 2023 US Open Cup. They had to wait for all of Wednesday’s games to be completed before they found out on Thursday who their opponent would be. They were placed in a pot with five other teams: Chattanooga FC of the NISA; Birmingham Legion and San Antonio FC both of the USL Championship; Atlanta United and Nashville SC of MLS. When all was said and done, Memphis drew a trip to take on Atlanta United.
This is the second time in their three Open Cup appearances that 901 FC has advanced in the competition. In 2019 they won two games before being eliminated. 2022 however saw them fall at the first hurdle. And just like 2019 they again get to play an MLS team. Back then it was Orlando City at home and now it’s Atlanta United on the road. From an exposure standpoint, this was probably the best option for the Beale Street Boys. That is where the good news stops however as not only is Atlanta United probably the toughest opponent but is also much more difficult for Memphis fans to travel to (Nashville probably being the best combination of those factors).
There is of course a connection between Memphis 901 FC and Atlanta United. Before he wound up in Memphis, Stephen Glass managed the Five Stripes during the 2020 season following the firing of Frank de Boer after their disastrous showing in the MLS is Back Tournament (they lost all three games). During his interim stint he posted a record of 5-10-4 (W-L-D) and failed to guide them to the playoffs (though he did get a win in the second leg of a CONCACAF Champions League tie with Club America).
The date, time, and venue for the game are yet to be fully determined. The third round will be played on April 25th and 26th with kickoff time to be announced. Atlanta United’s main home is Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta but the game figures to be played at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in nearby Kennesaw, a venue Memphis is not entirely unfamiliar with as they have played Atlanta United 2 there several times.