FC Cincinnati picked up its first three points of the season Thursday with a shocking 1-0 win over Atlanta United. The Orange & Blue were helped by a 26th-minute red card to Atlanta left-back Jake Mulraney. That allowed FC Cincinnati to play 64 minutes plus stoppage time up a man. While Atlanta controlled possession for large periods of the match, Cincinnati sat back and absorbed pressure before Frankie Amaya scored his first MLS goal off a left-foot curler in the 76th minute. This was Cincinnati’s first win in 304 days and puts it third in its group on three points. A showdown with the New York Red Bulls next Wednesday at 8 pm will decide if FC Cincinnati will progress into the knockout round or if they will have to sit and hope for one of the four third-place wild card spots to advance.
Check out Cincinnati Soccer Talk’s post-match report here for more details.
Rules:
- Each player starts off with a 6 as the standard rating. Six signifies an “average performance” for the match.
- Players will receive additions or subtractions to their score based on individual moments and the overall team performance.
- We’ll look at multiple criteria such as stats and the Audi Player Index (API) to assess a player’s rating.
- A player may receive an N/A if they are subbed in/off before any quantifiable statistics are available.
Now on to the ratings:
GK- Przemysław Tytoń: (6.5)
Tyton was tested a couple of times including this sweet save off an Atlanta free kick in the first half. He came off his line a couple of times to steal an Atlanta cross before it could get into a dangerous position.
Full extension from our Polish Eagle 👀 #ATLvCIN 🎥: @MLS pic.twitter.com/NITYWfYj5e
— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) July 16, 2020
LWB- Andrew Gutman: (6.5)
I know it’s still early but his career, but his last two matches have helped quell some of my fears of his defensive abilities. We know he can get up the field, and that is an attractive part of him in a 3-5-2 system, but I really liked how he put Brooks Lennon in his pocket towards the end of the match. Now we wait to see how the club can incorporate him into the attack when it isn’t sitting back all match.
CB- Maikel van der Werff: (5.5)
If not for a fortunate VAR decision in the first-half stoppage time, van der Werff might have been the villain as he was called for a penalty sliding late into Ezequiel Barco in the box. Luckily Fernando Meza’s heel was offside leading to an overturn of the foul. The center back had to come off in the 70th with an apparent leg injury. We’ll see how he is after receiving treatment, but it looks like he could miss Wednesday’s group finale.
CB- Kendall Waston: (6.5)
The captain put his poor performance Saturday night in the rearview mirror as he stood tall in the center of the back three. I liked how he specifically shuttled the ball to Amaya and Haris Medunjain to start the possession. Most were side to side, short passes, but he refrained from making the big errors that cost the club against Columbus.
CB- Mathieu Deplagne: (6.5)
Most would probably think Deplagne had a quiet game, but I think his performance on the right side of the back three was spot on. Deplagne and Joseph-Claude Gyau developed an early connection, and the two jumpstarted FC Cincinnati’s attack up the right. Again you have to like the ability of a Deplagne/van der Werff/Tom Pettersson partnership on the outside of the back three to spray passes forward with the return of Jurgen Locadia and Siem de Jong.
RWB- Joseph-Claude Gyau: (7)
Outside of Amaya’s goal, most of FC Cincinnati’s creativity came at Gyau’s feet. Taylor Twellman mentioned more than once on the broadcast that it seemed the only threat the Orange & Blue has was Gyau dribbling at defenders. His movement created four chances from open play, and his speed caused the second Mulraney yellow card leading to the send-off. One of his chances created came with Yuya Kubo in the 60th minute where Gyau played a nifty dribble and pass combination to get the forward behind Atlanta’s backline.
CM- Haris Medunjanin: (5.5)
Just paced through the match. Was probably told to sit in his area and do no more, and he did just that. 47 of 53 (88.7%) in passing. He missed a couple of his longer probing passes but shuffled nicely side to side. Haris would benefit from having a true holdup striker to be a target of his passes.
CM- Caleb Stanko: (6)
With de Jong and Allan Cruz out, Stanko got the start in the midfield. He was solid yet unspectacular, going 42 of 46 in successful passes. He was given the task of locking down the right side, which he did well. Gonzalo “Pity” Martinez and Ezequiel Barco had trouble getting on the ball and were largely ineffective after going down to 10 men.
CM- Frankie Amaya: (7.5)
Take a bow young man. Frankie Amaya’s game-winner was his first goal in MLS. He wasn’t in many dangerous positions, but when he got his opportunity, he made it count. Jaap Stam said he was the best player on the field today and I agree. Another tremendous defensive performance, but he could be a bit more careful on some of his late tackles. Fifty-one of 54 passing working nicely up the left side to Gutman and Medunjanin.
.@frankie_amaya scores his first career MLS goal!#ATLvCIN #MLSisBack pic.twitter.com/E9Uo4kP5pg
— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) July 16, 2020
FW- Yuya Kubo: (6)
Perhaps one of the players who was most affected by Stam’s defensive strategy was Kubo. FC Cincinnati just wasn’t moving the ball fast enough to take advantage of Kubo’s movement between and behind the lines. One of his best chances came in the 60th minute when Gyau’s attack pulled Atlanta defenders out of position opening the space for Kubo. The forward was right where he was supposed to be and forced a tough save by Guzan near post. FC Cincinnati’s next step is to increase the pace at which they attack. Too often there is one option relying on moments of brilliance. As players become more familiar with each other, hopefully their movement will quicken and that will allow more chances for Kubo in front of the goal.
60′ @36finest finds Yuya Kubo who makes an attempt at near post.#ATLvCIN #MLSisBack pic.twitter.com/lKlURtOOeY
— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) July 16, 2020
FW-Adrien Regattin: (6.5)
Today is why Cincinnatians will grow to love Adrien Regattin. The forward was all over the place dropping back to pick up the ball or press the Atlanta backline. He is a blue-collar athlete who will work his butt off to support his team. He set up Amaya on his goal, and I’m not sure there was anybody happier to see that ball go into the back of the net. Still a lot to see from Regattin, but he has put in two solid efforts this tournament albeit out of position.
SUB- Tom Pettersson (70th min.): (6)
When van der Werff picked up an apparent hamstring/groin injury, the Swede picked up his second appearance of the year.
SUB- Brandon Vazquez (85th min.): (N/A)
Vazquez came in for Regattin and got a few touches. He will kick himself for an easy header just before the end of the match he hit straight to Brad Guzan. Kubo put in a good ball and really should have made it 2-0.
SUB- Saad Abdul-Salaam (85th min.): (N/A)
Came in at RWB for Gyau to shut down the match. Much more calm on the ball and didn’t show as many matchday jitters from Saturday.
SUB- Fatai Alashe (90th min): (N/A)
Late match sub for Amaya.
Injury Notes: Allan Cruz (ankle), Siem de Jong (groin), Greg Garza (groin), Jurgen Locadia (thigh), Jimmy McLaughlin (ankle).
All FC Cincinnati players, coaches and staff have tested negative for coronavirus.
@bradleysweigel for @CincySoccerTalk