KENNESAW — Brandon Vazquez scored two goals in extra time to lift Atlanta United to a 3-1 victory against Charleston Battery in the Fourth Round of the 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Thursday night.
The Battery opened the scoring in the 20th minute. AJ Paterson won a tackle on the left side of the penalty area and quickly found Ian Svantesson at the top of the box where the forward one-timed a shot into the bottom right corner.
Atlanta produced several close chances to equalize including in the 53rd minute when Pity Martinez dribbled by a defender on the left side and squared a ball for Romario Williams. The Jamaican one-timed a shot from inside the six-yard box, but had his attempt collected by Breno. Martinez continued to pressure Charleston’s goal and in the 71st minute had a free kick saved by a diving Breno and in the 75th had a blistering shot saved for a corner, which was ultimately cleared.
Atlanta equalized in the 78th minute on a play that began with a give-and-go between Shea and Justin Meram on the left side. Meram sent a cross into the middle of the box where Martinez one-timed a shot that took a deflection and went out for a corner. Martinez delivered the corner kick to the back post for Miles Robinson who headed it back across goal where Williams poked the ball across the line to tie the match.
After neither team found a game-winner in regulation, the match went into extra time. Martinez passed to Meram at the top of the 18-yard box where the Iraqi international quickly found Vazquez near the penalty area. In his first appearance for the First Team this season, Vazquez took a touch around Breno and passed the ball into the net in the 110th minute.
Vazquez extended Atlanta’s lead in the 121st minute. Martinez played Meram down the left side where he sent a low cross to the back post for Vazquez to one-time a shot into the bottom right corner.
Atlanta will face Columbus Crew in the Round of 16 at MAPFRE Stadium Tuesday, June 18 at 7 p.m. EST. Atlanta’s next MLS Regular Season match is Wednesday, June 26 against Toronto FC at BMO Field (8:00 p.m. EST, FOX Sports South, Sports Radio 92-9 The Game).
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