Match recap: Atlanta United advances in U.S. Open Cup with efforts from new faces

Atlanta United scored three goals thanks to three first-time goalscorers this season en route to a 3-1 defeat of Chattanooga FC in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The Round of 32 match saw the hosts take an early lead, but the 5-Stripes responded with three unanswered to win the midweek match and advance to the next round of the tournament. 

What happened

Chattanooga opened the scoring in the 6th minute when Yves Tcheuyap slipped in behind the defense after getting on the end of a bouncing through ball. He took his finish to the near post and lifted it past Jayden Hibbert in goal. 

It took some settling in, but Atlanta United took the reins by slowing down their possessions and patiently waiting for an opening. They bombed forward into the box looking to get on the end of crosses from wide spaces. Cayman Togashi had the first shot on target for the visitors in the 16th minute, a headed attempt after a cross from Matt Edwards. 

Togashi got on the end of one in the 21st minute to level the score, a stunning low cross from Jay Fortune after he made a move to find open space on the left. The ball was whipped to the back post past the keeper, and Togashi just had to tap it into an open net. 

It was nearly a second for the Japanese American in the 31st minute when Fafa Picault's cross zipped just past his head in front of an open goal. The forward was eager to get on the end of crosses all evening, roving forward with pace into open spaces. 

Ronald Hernández almost put one in from nearly 40 yards out in the 46th minute when he found some space to try a longshot. His shot soared passed Eldin Jakupovic in goal but hit the post and bounded out for a goal kick. It was the last chance of a first half that, save the first 10 minutes, was all Atlanta. 

At halftime, head coach Tata Martino and his staff had some changes in mind. Miguel Almirón came on for Alexey Miranchuk and Cooper Sanchez replaced Matías Galarza, likely to conserve legs for the weekend's match. 

More crosses led to more chances in the second half. Edwards missed a header from close range in the 52nd minute from a Pedro Amador ball. Three minutes later, an errant back pass by Atlanta United saw Alexander Krehl through on goal. His strike was aimed for the top right corner but soared wide of the frame. 

The 5-Stripes, helped by the substitute Almirón, got in behind on the left side of the Chattanooga defense in the 64th minute. The Paraguayan cut back and found Togashi, who ripped a shot that deflected off a defender to Picault at the back post. His strike was clean and put Atlanta United 2-1 ahead. 

Luke Brennan came on for Miguel Almirón in the 71st minute, yet another young player with an opportunity to impress, and he did just that. In the 75th minute, the Homegrown winger got to the endline and squared a ball across the face of goal. It just nearly missed a defender and found Pedro Amador, who stuck his left foot on it and found the back of the net for 3-1. 

Martino brought on Elías Báez and Tristan Muyumba in the later stages of the match to see out the result, and that's exactly what the 5-Stripes did. They had displayed clinical finishing throughout the night and a firm control on the match save the first 10 minutes.

Standouts

• Cayman Togashi was a true target man for the 5-Stripes on the evening. He was always looking to make a run and wasn't afraid to leap for the ball, in the air or out in front of him. His goal in the 21st leveled things, and he didn't let that be the end of his performance, with his strike indirectly leading to Picault's second.
• Jay Fortune looked smooth and confident in his first start back from injury. The midfielder showed pace, precision in tight spaces and the ability to find the finishing ball, assisting the opener and playing all 90 minutes. 

Milestones

• Cayman Togashi scored his first goal of the 2026 season and second of his career with Atlanta United. 
• Jay Fortune picked up his first goal contribution of the season, an assist on Togashi's equalizer.
• Pedro Amador scored his first goal of the 2026 season and his second in the Black, Red and Gold.

Next up

Atlanta United returns home for the Southern Showdown against Nashville SC. The match will also be the club's HBCU Night and will feature a halftime performance by T.I. among other events. Kick off is set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 18.