In a game that was defined by streaks, FC Cincinnati was more interested in breaking them than keeping them going.
Heading into the game, Atlanta United were unbeaten at home in 2024 and had been unbeaten in their last nine games on turf.
Those were all broken with FCC coming away with a 2-1 victory in Atlanta.
The first half offered many chances, but no one finishing them. Both teams sensed they could use their attacking options to create opportunities for quick direct actions and it was Atlanta proving things right. In the 59th minute, Thiago Almada received the ball at the top of the box in a pocket of space, and was able to bend the ball just past the outstretched arms of Alec Kann and inside the far post.
It still seemed the finishing woes that have plagued FC this season were destined to continue, with two shots coming off of the post, but unlikely goalscorer Luca Orellano slotted home his first goal of the season.
Immediately after scoring their goal, Atlanta won the ball back and pushed to score a second and were awarded a corner kick for their efforts. The short corner played by Almada wasn’t strong enough to reach its target and was intercepted by Lucho Acosta. He quickly ran up the field leading a break and slipped in a pass to Orellano who had beaten his defender and was able to slot it past Brad Guzan.
Two minutes later and FCC had taken the lead. This time it was FCC quickly taking the ball back, and cycling it around before finding it at the feet of Deandre Yedlin, who put a perfect cross into Acosta. He had snuck into a gap between the center back and right back and cushioned the Yedlin cross down, and scooped it just past the goalkeeper.
For Orellano, this was his first goal for FCC in MLS, but for Acosta it was nothing new. He has now scored nine Goals in 15 appearances against Atlanta, and has tied Brandon Vazquez as the top all-time scorer for FCC.
With this victory, FCC rises to third in the Eastern Conference with a 4-3-2 record and will look to face Colorado on April 27th.
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