Here are five things to know about Atlanta United this week:

1. The team enters Week 17 still atop the Supporters' Shield standings in MLS with 33 points. Josef Martinez leads the race for the Golden Boot with 14 goals. Atlanta United also leads the league in goals scored (33) and is tied for second in goal difference (plus-14). It is also dominating the All-Star voting, which closes 11:55 p.m. PST June 20.

2. The team has two games this week. It will host Chicago in the fifth round of the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It will return to league play on Sunday when it hosts Portland.

3. In the U.S. Open Cup, teams are allowed to use just five international players. That rule, combined with injuries to Miguel Almiron (shoulder) and Josef Martinez (broken nose), should make manager Gerardo Martino's choice for the 18 very interesting.

4. Atlanta United advanced to the fifth round of the U.S. Open Cup by dispatching Charleston 3-0. Chicago advanced by winning an 11-round shootout against Columbus.

4. The Timbers, after a rough start that saw them go winless in their first five games, rebounded to win six consecutive. However, it has posted draws in its past two games.

About the Author

Keep Reading

A WNBA basketball goes through a hoop during warm-ups before a recent Atlanta Dream game in College Park, Ga. The Dream fell to 11-7 with Thursday's loss to Seattle. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Featured

UPS driver Dan Partyka delivers an overnight package. As more people buy more goods online, the rapid and unrelenting expansion of e-commerce is causing real challenges for the Sandy-Springs based company. (Bob Andres/AJC 2022)

Credit: TNS