Three years after Michael Parkhurst and Atlanta United hoisted the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open cup in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, head coach Gonzalo Pineda and the Five Stripes began it’s title defense with a convincing 6-0 win over NISA side Chattanooga FC at the Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, Georgia.
Atlanta United will learn its next opponent in the U.S. Open Cup on Friday.
The matchup gave Pineda an opportunity to give minutes to finger players and players who are building fitness after recovering from injuries. Bobby Shuttleworth stepped in for Brad Guzan, who underwent surgery for his ruptured achilles this week.