Atlanta United hung on for a 2-1 win over Minnesota United to win the 106th edition of the U.S. Open Cup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Tuesday night.
The home team was gifted a dream start in the 10th minute when Leandro Gonzalez Pirez’s cross took a wicked deflection and looped into goal over the head of Minnesota keeper Vito Mannone.
Gonzalo Martinez doubled Atlanta’s lead minutes later, burying a cross from Justin Meram past Mannone to make it 2-0.
Despite trailing 2-0 at half-time, Minnesota had decent chances in the opening 45 minutes and the Loons cut into Atlanta’s lead shortly after the break when Robin Lod slotted home a Kevin Molino pass from the center of the box to cut the lead in half.
Atlanta’s Gonzalez Pirez granted Minnesota a lifeline in the 73rd minute when he picked up his second yellow card — the second from a silly foul — in a very brief span and was sent off.
Adrian Heath brought on star forward Darwin Quintero right after Gonzalez Pirez was sent off to help Minnesota as it chased an equalizer.
Visiting Minnesota had five minutes of injury time to try to draw level, but Atlanta dug in and saw out the result to add a first U.S. Open Cup to the team’s trophy case after winning MLS Cup last season and the Campeones Cup last week.