US Open Cup Final Odds & Pick: Atlanta United vs Minnesota United

• The final of the oldest soccer tournament in America takes place on Tuesday, August 27, 2019
• Atlanta United aim for third trophy within nine months
• Past USOC finals have featured plenty of goals

The 106th edition of the US Open Cup concludes on Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at 8:00 pm EST at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

While the tournament has a long and rich history, this year will feature a brand new winner of the competition, between Atlanta United and Minnesota United, both of whom are only in their third years in Major League Soccer. Minnesota, however, has a longer overall history having played in lower divisions previously.

We take a look at the form of both teams and provide a best bet for this finals match.

Atlanta United vs Minnesota United Odds

*All odds taken August 27, 2019

As MLS teams, each of Atlanta and Minnesota entered the competition in the fourth round, when the field had been narrowed to 32 teams.

The teams have had similar results with Atlanta scoring ten goals and conceding three. While Minnesota has scored 15 but has allowed a few more with five.

Atlanta vs Minnesota USOC Stats

Atlanta’s results have seen them defeat the Charleston Battery 3-1 at home in the fourth round and the Columbus Crew 3-2 on the road in the round of 16. They’ve kept clean sheets in each of their previous two matches with a 2-0 home win over Saint Louis FC in the quarterfinals and 2-0 road win against rivals Orlando City in the semifinals.

During Atlanta’s four-game win streak they’ve outscored their opponents 8-1.

For Minnesota, they were 4-1 winners over Sporting Kansas City in their first match, before a 3-2 road win versus the Houston Dynamo in the round of 16. They were then 6-1 and 2-1 winners at home over New Mexico United and the Portland Timbers in the quarters and semis.

If you’re looking for which side may have had an easier path, The Five Stripes did get to play two of four matches against USL Championship sides, compared to just one such lower-ranked side for Minnesota. However, the Loons played three of four at home, compared to only 2/4 home matches for Atlanta.

Both Hot in MLS

This weekend wrapped up 25 weeks of the MLS season and both teams currently find themselves very much in the playoff picture.

Overall, Atlanta have won six staight matches in all competitions, and that streak was pushed to four in MLS play after their 1-0 road win against Orlando on Friday. During Atlanta’s four-game win streak they’ve outscored their opponents 8-1. It’s helped push them to the top of the Eastern Conference standings. They’re currently tied with the Philadelphia Union on 48 points.

Twelve. Straight. Games. @JosefMartinez17 can't stop scoring! pic.twitter.com/mNPCFjFyxt

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 24, 2019

Over in the West, the Loons may only be in fifth place with 42 points, but they’re just one point behind Real Salt Lake and Seattle in second and third.

At one point the Loons were flying with four straight wins of their own in MLS and an undefeated streak of seven.

But since their USOC win over Portland earlier this month, they’ve won just one of four matches. Minnesota United games have also seen the goals dry up of late. The Loons have only scored multiple goals once (a 5-3 loss) in one of their previous eight league games. But with five goals scored compared to just three allowed in the other seven, they’ve more than held up their end defensively.

no one said it would be easy… pic.twitter.com/hgCyuDgE9V

— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) August 26, 2019

Minnesota should be slightly more rested having last played on Thursday in Kansas City. And while they were defeated 1-0 in the 88′ minute, head coach Adrian Heath took the opportunity to rest several key regulars including Ozzie Alonson and Angelo Rodriguez, while Abu Danladi and Darwin Quintero were only brought on late in the match.

Will Atlanta Add to Trophy Cabinet?

Back in December, Atlanta took home their first MLS Cup in only their second season in the league. They were 2-0 winners over the Portland Timbers.

Earlier this month, they took on Mexican juggernauts Club América in the Campeones Cup and walked away as 3-2 winners. Both matches came with home-field advantage, much like will be the case on Tuesday.

Recent US Open Cup Winners

With not even three years in the league for either side, there is little head-to-head history. Atlanta were 6-1 road winners in MLS play in 2017, while Minnesota won 3-2 on the road in the same season.

The two sides drew 0-0 in a pre-season tournament in 2018, prior to a 1-0 Atlanta road win last March. This year, they’ve played once, a 3-0 home win for Atlanta on May 29. The score could be somewhat misleading though, considering Josef Martínez scored two of those goals past the 90-minute mark of the match.

The goalscoring market hasn’t opened yet, but any sort of bet on Martínez to score may be worth a bet. The Venezuelan continues to break MLS records and has now scored in a record 12 straight matches.

He’s also stepped up in big games for Atlanta. Martínez scored in their MLS Cup finals win, as well as through a penalty in the Campeones Cup Final.

The US Open Cup Final is a huge match for both teams to further establish their young sides. Probably more so for Minnesota, who have yet to taste the success that Atlanta has. The fact Heath rested players last week in the midst of their first playoff run is proof of how serious Minnesota will take the match. But Atlanta has finally found good form under new coach Frank de Boer, and on home field, with their experience in big matches, I believe they’ll ultimately walk away with the trophy.

Best Bet: Both teams to score (-140)