Match Preview: Atlanta United vs. FC Cincinnati (with Gracin Galbreath of Cincy Soccer Talk)
Atlanta United at FC Cincinnati
Date: March 22, 2025; 2:30pm EST
Venue: TQL Stadium (26,000 Capacity)
Tickets: https://www.fccincinnati.com/tickets/single-match
How to Watch: Apple TV - MLS Season Pass
History
Atlanta United (20 Goals For) 5-5-4 (14 Goals For) FC Cincinnati
Atlanta United and FC Cincinnati first played on March 10, 2019 for Cincinnati’s second ever MLS game. It finished a 1-1 draw. Cincinnati’s only win in the series through 2022 was in the MLS is Back Tournament Group Stage in 2020, but they are unbeaten since April 2022. Atlanta is 0-3-3 since that date, having lost both of the most recent matchups in 2024.
All the top scorers from the series no longer play for either club (Josef Martinez, Luchi Acosta, Giorgos Giakoumakis, Thiago Almada, Esequiel Barco), so this year begins a new era for the matchup.
Injury (& International Duty) Report:
Atlanta United
OUT (Injury) - Edwin Mosquera (Ankle), Jamal Thiaré (Quadriceps)
OUT (International Duty) - Luis Abram, Miguel Almiron, Luke Brennan, Noah Cobb, Stian Gregersen, Ajani Fortune, Efrain Morales, Bartosz Slisz
QUESTIONABLE - Mateusz Klich (Quadriceps)
FC Cincinnati
OUT (Injury) - Matt Miazga, Alec Kann, Brad Smith
OUT (International Duty) - Kevin Denkey, Stefan Chirila
QUESTIONABLE -
Predicted Lineups:
Cincinnati -
Gracin - This is probably the most unpredictable lineup, because Cincinnati is thin. Denkey will be absent as he plays internationally with Togo. There is concern at defense: Flores is suspended after being red-carded in Charlotte, Hadebe likely won’t play as he is obtaining a green card, and Robinson is a question mark as he recovers from a knock.
Atlanta -
Calum - There’s a lot to break down due to the call-ups (we go into more detail on their impact here) and injuries. The first is that Ronald Hernandez is the right center-back. All center-backs except for Williams are away for their country, so Hernandez gets the start. Matthew Edwards, who has played left center-back in college, can fill in if needed. The Five Stripes called up three players from Atlanta United 2: defender Nyk Sessock, midfielder Cooper Sanchez, and forward Rodrigo Neri. All three provide depth in key areas of the field with eight players being called for international duty. With Hernandez returning, there is potential for a 5-4-1 or 5-3-2 with Hernandez, Edwards, and Williams the back 3, allowing Amador and Lennon to go high.
Mateusz Klich, along with Hernandez, is returning from injury, but both were seen at Atlanta’s training facility. He’ll start alongside Muyumba. If he’s not 100% fit, Homegrown players Will Reilly or Adyn Torres will play. Silva will fill in for Almiron on the wing and move Saba to the right side.
Analysis/Predictions:
Cincinnati (Gracin) - Cincinnati dominated Motagua and eked out a home opener win over the Red Bulls, but then declined—well, really, they got lucky from not playing competitively in a congested schedule yet. They are since winless in their last two matches, which most recently included an 0-2 loss away in Charlotte.
The star-studded attack had a productive start, as the Denkey-Evander duo combined with 10 goal contributions. But they have since struggled to incorporate the third man, Luca Orellano.
As for the defense, conceding 12 goals in 8 matches should speak for itself. Without the leadership of Matt Miazga as he recovers from last season’s knee injury, they have been fledging against any team with a decent attack.
Prediction: 3-1 Atlanta United
I don’t see this rag-tag defense holding up against an Atlanta side that likes to press hard and be purposeful with possession. I predict they will end up being dominated at TQL, but will score an elusive goal against a defense that is also very thin.
Atlanta (Calum) -
Coming off a thrilling match but a late loss to Inter Miami, the feelings are mixed for fans with the club at a 1-1-2 record. While Emmanuel Latte Lath has been the player he was touted to be, Head Coach Ronny Deila has struggled to get the best out of Miguel Almiron and Aleksey Miranchuk, who often have occupied each other’s space. The same goes for Saba Lobjanidze, who has been poor at left wing.
Luckily, he doesn’t have to worry about the Almiron problem this game, just making sure the attack’s efficient and can do their job if the depleted backline can’t. Having Saba on his natural side has room for potential to see if the attack thrives without inverted wingers.
So far this season, Atlanta have let mistakes in the back define games. With Hernandez likely playing centrally and limited midfield depth, there’s a chance for costly mistakes to happen again. Those have to be limited, and they could be created instead for an as-depleted Cincinnati backline with an effective high press.
Prediction: 3-2 Atlanta United
Philadelphia’s 4-1 win over Cincinnati and Charlotte’s 2-0 win showed how Cincy is vulnerable to through balls and crosses from out wide. Amador and Lennon should have a field day whipping in crosses, Miranchuk should do well splitting the line with passes, and Latte Lath will add at minimum two more goals to his tally. However, Cincinnati’s attack will do some damage with Evander and Orellano and make it close.