Atlanta United Falls 2-1 to Memphis 901 FC

April 26, 2023 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Atlanta United FC News Release

KENNESAW, GA. – Atlanta United fell 2-1 to Memphis 901 FC after extra time Wednesday night at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in the Third Round of the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Tyler Wolff scored his first career goal with Atlanta United while Clement Diop tied his career-high with eight saves in his first start with the club.

Atlanta scored its quickest goal of the 2023 season when Wolff found the back of the net less than three minutes into the match. Ronald Hernandez played Luiz Araújo on the right wing, who initially dribbled away from goal to keep possession before turning and sending a long diagonal ball into the box for Wolff. The 20-year-old Homegrown took one touch before slipping a shot past Bill Hamid into the bottom right corner for his first goal with the First Team.

Memphis threatened Atlanta’s goal throughout the first half, but Diop came up with a series of critical saves to hold the one-goal advantage. In the 32nd minute, Diop made an impressive double save on Bruno Lapa. Luiz Fernando found Lapa in the center of box where his initial shot was saved by Diop. The rebound bounced directly to Lapa who sent it back toward goal, only to be denied again from a lunging save by Diop.

Later in the 39th minute, Fernando played Laurent Kissiedou down the left wing who sent a low cross to Lapa at the penalty spot. The Brazilian one-timed a shot on goal, but Diop was quick to react with a kick save.

Atlanta continued to deny Memphis in the second half, nearly edging out a 1-0 victory until Juanjo Purata was ruled to have taken down Phillip Goodrum in the box in stoppage time and 901 FC was awarded a penalty. Goodrum took the spot kick and placed it into the bottom right corner as Diop guessed to the left and the match was level in the 96th minute to force extra time.

Memphis took the lead in the 100th minute after a turnover in Atlanta’s own half. Fernando dribbled down the right side and sent in a cross for Nighte Pickering, who scored a one-time volley by Diop.

Machop Chol nearly equalized in the 103rd minute when he was played in on goal, but his attempt was saved by Hamid. On the ensuing corner, Luis Abram had a header creep just over the bar. Atlanta ultimately came up short in pursuit of an equalizer.

Atlanta United (5-1-3, 18 points) returns to MLS Regular Season play Saturday, April 29 when it travels to Nashville SC (1:30 p.m., FOX, MLS Season Pass, 92.9 The Game, La…