Availability report and match preview: 5-Stripes aim for semifinal berth in Open Cup

These rivals already see each other twice a year, but on Tuesday, it’ll be twice within the span of three days. Atlanta United and Orlando City didn’t have anything to split them Saturday night when they drew 1-1 at Inter&Co Stadium, and now they’re gearing up to run it back. The 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff Tuesday, May 19 in the quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup will have increased stakes, with a trip to a semifinal on the line. 

Miguel Almirón remains questionable with a knee injury, and he’ll have two more opportunities to get back on the pitch: either tonight or Sunday against Columbus Crew. Fafa Picault is also an addition with a hamstring issue.

After breaking into the starting lineup for a portion of the 2025 season, keeper Jayden Hibbert is now taking the role of backup to Lucas Hoyos. He shared his mentality about being Atlanta United’s Open Cup keeper so far and how he’s latching onto any chance to get better. 

“I take every day with the with the mindset of trying to improve,” Hibbert said Monday. “I’m trying to do anything I can to help the team, and in doing so, get me on the field. If that comes sooner than later, great. If it doesn’t, I’m going to be doing the same thing every day to try to get there.”

The practice of designating a backup keeper to be the predetermined starter for a cup campaign is common across world football, but it’s especially important for Hibbert. Those minutes as a starter are invaluable, as he can attest to with the development he showed in 2025. He doesn’t have any issue conjuring up the focus to jump into the squad without much rhythm.

“I’m eager to get any opportunity I can,” Hibbert said. “Any sniff of the pitch, I’m going to take my opportunity with two hands and I’m going to grab it. I’m grateful for any opportunity that comes, and I’m always prepared.”

The 21-year-old, who was selected in the MLS SuperDraft in 2024, is now learning under the tutelage of a 37-year-old veteran in Hoyos. Hibbert is brushing up on his Spanish and taking note about how he can improve his play with the ball at his feet. 

“I thought I was calm player, but this guy in the net is super suave,” Hibbert said. “He says that all the time. ‘Suave, suave.’ Smooth, relaxed … He’s been a great tool for me.”

Tuesday night’s match is a rare opportunity for two coaches to show their tactical talents. It’ll mimic some other U.S. sports like basketball and baseball, where series in the postseason highlight the coaches that can made changes on the fly. 

“Of course, there are things tactically that we’re analyzing,” Martino said. “There are things that we’ve seen in the last match, whether it’s in the defensive or attacking phase that we need to have in account.”

Head coach Tata Martino’s side had the best of the majority of the match following Orlando City’s early goal on Saturday, and they’ll use that as the blueprint for their approach to Tuesday night.

The key to the second half was an even fiercer press than they started the match with. That’ll be a tough strategy to sustain once against Tuesday, as the Florida heat and humidity will certainly play a factor, but it doesn’t mean Martino will call off the dogs. 

“I’m comfortable with [the press], because that’s what we’re aiming for,” Martino said. “But there’s also moments like what happened against Galaxy. I think we’ve been doing it well and we’ve been able to maintain it for periods of time. We want to prolong those periods but [also] understand that when we can’t, we have to be aware of those moments in transition. If we’re making a decision between going and not going, I’m always going to prefer to go.”

Playing back-to-back games against an opponent does provide wrinkles, but Martino didn’t see it as an advantage for either side. He did point out, though, that Orlando will be playing their third match in less than a week. 

“If there were any advantages, it would be the same for both teams in this situation,” Martino said, “with the difference being that we know Orlando has played more minutes over the last week than we have.”

Hibbert also pointed out that the 5-Stripes will have to come out with more energy, especially knowing that Orlando could be run down:

“We’re going to use everything we can to try and beat them into the ground and move on to the semifinal.”