Tonight's Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final against Atlanta United is shaping up to be a game for the ages. Both Minnesota United and Atlanta United became MLS sides in 2017 and that has led both fans and commentators to link the two sides, despite their disparate approaches. Atlanta United came in with an existing stadium in place, and a massive budget to spend on top talent. Minnesota United built from the ground up, constructing Allianz Field over the course of two years and taking a more measured approach to the roster. Whatever happens Tuesday night, the 2019 U.S. Open Cup Final is hard evidence that expansion teams can become powerhouses within American soccer.
It’s Been Done Before
Minnesota United is one of only six teams that have gone on the road and beaten Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in MLS play. The Loons beat a 10-man Atlanta in 2017 when Kevin Molino buried a header in stoppage time to win 3-2. In 2018, Atlanta traveled to TCF Bank Stadium, where an unfortunate early own goal from Francisco Calvo on a cold night turned the game into a sludgefest where Atlanta retreated into a shell and held on for a 1-0 win. MNUFC faced its second test at Mercedes-Benz earlier in 2019. Although the Loons lost 3-0 on the night, the two final Atlanta goals came in stoppage time when the Loons were piling men forward looking for an equalizer. “We stifled them, they hadn't created an awful lot of chances against us and I thought we looked dangerous in the second half,” said Head Coach Adrian Heath at the time. “You look at the scoreline and it looks like you've been well and truly beaten, but that was far from the case. I thought we were the more likely to get the next goal when they were winning 1-0.” Sitting with a record of 1-1-0 all-time at Mercedes-Benz Stadium through two admirable performances, look for MNUFC to attempt to frustrate the hosts with another solid and organized performance.
Cup Experience
While tonight’s U.S. Open Cup Final is the first of its kind in Minnesota United’s short three-year MLS history, its roster doesn’t lack for notable championship experience. If Minnesota United captain Osvaldo Alonso steps foot on the Atlanta turf tonight, he will make a record-setting seventh appearance in a U.S. Open Cup Final. Osvaldo played in five Open Cup Finals with the Seattle Sounders and one with the Charleston Battery. Lawrence Olum and Ike Opara both lifted the U.S. Open Cup in their time with Sporting Kansas City. Opara hoisted the trophy twice, in 2015 and 2017, while Olum was a winner in 2012. International players such as Vito Mannone, Jan Gregus and Darwin Quintero also have major cup experience from their time abroad, although the Loons will have to weigh their experience against the tournament’s limit of five international players per team. Expect many of these more experienced players to be at the heart of tonight’s game when it comes to helping the likes of Hassani Dotson, Chase Gasper, and many other Loons acclimate to the atmosphere in their first major cup final.
Battle of the Goal-Scorers
In what will be a field filled with attacking talent tonight, both Minnesota United and Atlanta United possess their own prolific goal scorers. Minnesota’s Darwin Quintero will look to secure the U.S. Open Cup Golden Boot as he is currently the tournament’s leading goal scorer with six tallies to his name. On the other side of the ball is Atlanta’s Josef Martinez, who has gone on yet another tear during the 2019 MLS season. He has scored at least one goal in a record 12 straight MLS games and has showed no signs of slowing down. While both Quintero and Martinez will each be a handful, their supporting options pose just as much of a threat. Minnesota’s Angelo Rodriguez and Atlanta’s Brandon Vazquez are tied for second in goals scored in this year’s tournament, with four goals each. Look for these four goal-scorers to make a major impact on the outcome of tonight’s game.
