Final Whistle: Fortune Shines As Atlanta United Rolls Past Chattanooga FC 3-1
- Jon Nelson
- Apr 15
- 4 min read
It was a chance for Atlanta United to get a win under their belt and advance in the oldest tournament in the United States to the Round of 16.
It was the biggest match in the history of Chattanooga FC as a franchise. Some would point to the NPSL Championship match with New York Cosmos where more than 18,000 packed into Finley Stadium. But this was an opportunity for a signature win for CFC in US Open Cup against an MLS side.
Atlanta United had some questions with injury concerns which eventually meant that Steven Alzate, Stian Gregersen, Latte Lath, and Saba Lobjanidze did not dress.
The starting line-up had Jayden Hibbert starting in net. The backline had Pedro Amador, Juan Berrocal, Ronald Hernandez, and Matt Edwards, with the midfield of Will Reilly, Jay Fortune, and Matias Galarza. The front line had Fafa Picault, Cayman Togashi, and Alexey Miranchuk.
Chattanooga FC started Eldin Jakupovic between the sticks. The backline had Mattias Hanchard, Tate Robertson, Farid Sar-Sar, Antony Sorenson, and Yves Tcheuyap. The midfield three were Damien Barker John, Isaiah Jones, Daniel Mangarov, and Alex McGrath wearing the captain's armband. Alex Krehl was up top.
Six and a half minutes in, Yves Tcheuyap was on the end of a ball over the top from Farid Sar-Sar inside the Atlanta United 18. He got behind Juan Berrocal with the bouncing ball and beat Jayden Hibbert to the near post for the early lead.
Late in the 12th minute came the first real opportunity for Atlanta United as they adjusted to the surface at Finley Stadium. Cayman Togashi was on the edge of the 18 finding Alexey Miranchuk inside the arc. His pass to the top of the box found Matias Galarza, whose shot went wide of the near post.
Four minutes later, Isaiah Jones was called for a foul on Cayman Togashi as they both went for possession. The set piece ended up as a floater and an easy grab for Jakupovic.
The Five Stripes evened up the match in the middle of the 19th minute as Pedro Amador worked down the left, sending the ball ahead to Jay Fortune. Fortune sent in a cross from the left and found Cayman Togashi sliding at the back post for the finish, and an even match at one.
Working back quickly, Chattanooga FC forced Hibbert into a save off a Damian Barker John shot, and Atlanta United added to the back-and-forth with a shot high over the crossbar on the subsequent possession.
Late in the 31st, Atlanta United had another chance just miss to take the lead. Galarza combined with Fafa Picault down the left once again. Fafa's cross just missed connecting with Cayman Togashi for the header at the far post.
Atlanta United had one last chance from long range 30 seconds into added time. Ronald Hernandez hit the post from 30 yards out, and both teams headed to the locker room tied at 1.
United had 11 shots in the first half on 70-percent possession, compared to 2 for Chattanooga FC. CFC was forced into 13 first-half clearances on the offensive efforts of the Five Stripes. Jay Fortune had a busy first 45 with the assist on the goal, a key pass, one big chance created, 18-of-20 passing, and 2 successful long ball connections.
The question for the second 45: how many minutes would be given to the starting XI, and what subs would be brought in to grab the lead?
Atlanta United made two substitutions to start the second half as Miguel Almirón and Cooper Sanchez entered for Alexey Miranchuk and Matias Galarza. The substitution almost paid an instant dividend in the 48th minute as Almirón found room along the edge of the 18 down the right and laid the ball off for Jay Fortune. His shot from a tight angle was parried away by Eldin Jakupovic to keep the match tied at one.
Atlanta United took the lead with 25 minutes to go as a tremendous ball from the back by Juan Berrocal found Miguel Almirón behind the CFC backline down the right. Almirón sent the ball inside to Cayman Togashi at the top of the six. His shot was smothered by Eldin Jakupovic, but Fafa Picault slammed the ball home at the near post for the go-ahead goal.
Atlanta United added a third with 15 minutes left. Matt Edwards sent the ball long down the right. Luke Brennan did not give up on the play and rescued the ball from the endline. His pass went beyond Fafa Picault and found Pedro Amador, who put the ball past Jakupovic for a 3-1 lead.
Two goals in eleven minutes were the difference, as was constant pressure against a team that generated only one shot in the second 45 minutes.
CONCLUSION
Players Tata Martino trusted in the starting XI made the attack function on the night, with Cayman Togashi and Jay Fortune working with Fafa Picault. Will Reilly shone on defense keeping CFC in check, as did Ronald Hernandez and Juan Berrocal, whose vision on goal number two deserves mention.
The early departure of Miguel Almirón will be monitored for the remainder of the week.
Now the task is to carry the momentum of an Open Cup performance into MLS action, with a Nashville SC side coming off a signature win in CONCACAF earlier in the week. Kickoff is Saturday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
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