FC Cincinnati spent a rather forgetful evening at Mercedes-Benz Stadium against Atlanta United, collapsing with a 4-2 loss.
FIRST HALF
Noonan started an in-form lineup with each of Cincinnati’s key starters. Dado Valenzuela was included as a dual center attacking midfielder, while Luca Orellano was in his optimal position as right wing back—benching Yedlin for the second match in-a-row. There was also a formidable defense with Miazga, Robinson, and Hagglund.
3’ SHOT: It was an early attempt for Cincinnati courtesy of Dado Valenzuela, whose nifty touch past the Atlanta defender led to a point blank save from Guzan.
There was much attacking movement in those early minutes, leaving Atlanta compressed around their own box—whenever they tried to breakaway, it would result in a poor giveaway.
A 10th minute elbow from Emmanuel Latte Lath on Hagglund left him writhing in pain on the turf. He would be replaced by Teenage Hadebe. No call from referee Guido Gonzales Jr.
15’ GOAL: After a foul from Robinson on Latte Lath, it was Alexey Miranchuk’s delivery off the free kick that led to an open header by Derrick Williams. It was an opener for Atlanta against the run of play.
20’ GOAL: The field quickly tilted for Atlanta, who were moving the ball around with purpose. Their lead would double when Saba Lobjanidze, with a couple of stepovers, dribbled to the end line and played a goal-bound ball towards Ajani Fortune. Another easy finish for Atlanta; lazy defending for Cincinnati.
30’ SHOT: Valenzuela proved himself as the hitherto most threatening attacker for Cincinnati. A one-two passing combo between him and Kévin Denkey led to a chance, but his shot was again straight at Guzan.
A deflection would become a 1v1 opportunity after Miazga was unable to keep up with the speed of Latte Lath. To Cincinnati’s luck, Latte Lath rattled the side netting. It was yet another example of lazy defending.
45+1’ SHOT: An aerial ball was chested down by Denkey, but his volley slid wide.
While going for a cross, Guzan completely took out Valenzuela, knocking him to the turf. He was checked for a concussion, and bafflingly enough, no foul was given—even though it occurred in the box. Noonan was frustrated with the refereeing all evening, but here more so than ever.
45+8’ SHOT: Atlanta were playing pinball in their opponent’s box; a clear chance for Almiron came off Celentano, and more threats just seconds later ended only after an acrobatic clearance from Hadebe. To Cincinnati’s relief, the whistle blew, and they went into the break down 0-2.
SECOND HALF
49’ GOAL: Mere minutes after the break, Evander’s long shot was handed away by Guzan for a corner. The inswinger from Evander found Robinson for a glancing header that pulled one back for Cincinnati.
54’ SHOT: A shot from Orellano’s preferred spot on the right edge of the box was untroubling for Guzan. Still, it was Cincinnati who were finding opportunities on the counter.
56’ SHOT: From the left side, Evander’s curling attempt caused Guzan to barely push it beyond the post.
66’ GOAL: Another set piece disaster for Cincinnati, as Williams’ batted down header went through multiple defenders to reach Slisz for a tap-in. Atlanta would make their lead 3-1.
69’ GOAL: A low cross from Engel into the middle of the box found Valenzuela, whose first-time finish made it 3-2. The match was still well within Cincinnati’s reach, given that both sides’ defending was atrocious.
Cincinnati was now playing in their opponent’s half, pushing up numbers towards the box and looking to pass their way into an equalizer.
82’ SHOT: A double chance for Atlanta, against the run of play, saw Celentano deny a shot from Miranchuk and Ronald Hernandez’s bullet header that went just over the bar.
With just over five minutes left, Noonan added another attacker in Sergio Santos; with the change, five were on the pitch at once: Denkey, Orellano, Valenzuela, Kei Kamara, and Santos. The plan was to throw in the kitchen sink for the equalizer.
90+4’ GOAL: In desperation time, a through ball passed the entire Cincinnati defense to Jamal Thiaré, who dinked it passed Celentano. 4-2 for Atlanta, match sealed.
Atlanta had been winless since the month of March; now, they have a much-needed confidence boost. They are still in 12th, with a midweek rivalry match against Orlando City that they must win to salvage any playoff chances.
Cincinnati, who would have taken their place at the top of the East by two points, are now one point below Philadelphia. After three straight wins, they crash to the turf. They look towards a midweek home affair against FC Dallas, in which Lucho Acosta will return to TQL Stadium.
There is another layer to this loss. Though the aggression looked equal at least, there was no caution shown to an Atlanta player by referee Guido Gonzales Jr., despite Guzan’s collision with Valenzuela and Hagglund receiving an elbow to the chest that put him in the hospital for a fracture to his rib and lung damage..
XIs:
ATL: Brad Buzan, Matthew Edwards, Derrick Williams, Luis Abran, Saba Lobjanidze (Noah Cobb 90’), Alexey Miranchuk, Bartosz Slisz, Ajani Fortune (Will Reilly 90’), Pedro Amador (Ronald Hernandez 60’), Emmanuel Latte Lath (Jamal Thiaré 80’), Miguel Almiron (Mateusz Klich 81’)
Substitutes not used: Josh Cohen, Efrain Morales, Edwin Mosquera, Luke Brennan
CIN: Roman Celentano, Lukas Engel (Sergio Santos 83’), Miles Robinson, Matt Miazga (DeAndre Yedlin 83’), Nick Hagglund (Teenage Hadebe 14’), Luca Orellano, Evander, Obinna Nwobodo (Kei Kamara 70’), Pavel Bucha, Kévin Denkey, Gerardo Valenzuela
Substitutes not used: Evan Louro, Alvas Powell, Gilberto Flores, Brian Anunga, Corey Baird
Scoring Summary:
Atlanta United: Williams 15’, Fortune 20’, Slisz 66’, Thiaré 90+4’
FC Cincinnati: Robinson 49’, Valenzuela 69’
Discipline:
Miles Robinson – (Yellow Card, 15’)
Obinna Nwobodo – (Yellow Card, 38’)
DeAndre Yedlin – (Yellow Card, 90’)
Next Match:
MLS Regular Season: vs. FC Dallas, May 28 at 7:30pm, TQL Stadium; Apple TV
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