Match will be Tuesday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m. in Kennesaw, GA
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (April 18, 2024) – Round of 32 matchups for the 2024 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, U.S. Soccer’s annual club championship, were announced today. The Charlotte Independence will face Atlanta United on Tuesday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m. at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, Georgia.
The Jacks reached the Round of 32 in dramatic fashion, defeating Rhode Island FC in a penalty shootout. Three goals apiece in regulation sent the match into extra time. Another goal by each side led the match to be decided by kicks from the mark. Goalkeeper Austin Pack saved three penalty kicks to send Charlotte through to the next round.
Atlanta United is one of eight MLS sides entering the 2024 U.S. Open Cup in the Round of 32. The 2019 U.S. Open Cup winners are currently 3-2-2 in MLS play this season.
NOTABLES:
- The Third Round victory was the Independence’s first win against a USL Championship side in the U.S. Open Cup since 2015.
- Reaching the Round of 32 is the furthest the Jacks have advanced in the U.S. Open Cup since 2015.
- Four goals against Rhode Island FC are the most scored in a U.S. Open Cup game by the Independence since 2015.
- The Charlotte Independence needed extra time and a penalty shootout to decide a winner in its second-straight game in the U.S. Open Cup.
- The Round of 32 matchup will be the Independence’s third-ever game against an MLS side. The other two occurrences were in 2015 as the Jacks defeated New England Revolution to reach the Round of 16 against Chicago Fire.
ABOUT CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE:
The Charlotte Independence is a Division III professional men’s soccer team celebrating a decade of competitive soccer in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2024. The club, founded in 2014, currently competes in USL League One and reached its first league final in club history at the end of the 2023 season. The Independence plays all home games at the historic American Legion Memorial Stadium. As part of the Queen City Soccer Club, our mission is to make Charlotte a better place to live through sports. For information on club news, season tickets and more, visit charlotteindependence.com.
