The MLS season resumes after a long international window that offered FC Cincinnati fans some relief. September ended with a chance to ignore the squad’s troubles and find hope for the future of the USMNT. For now, everyone has returned and we turn back to the season and the final stretch into the playoffs.
Sitting in 10th, just outside of the playoff spots, it becomes important to pick up every point FCC can. A matchup with a team sitting outside of the playoff window is the perfect chance to kick-start the end-of-the-season run.
ATLANTA UNITED – 12th in the East (27 pts, 27 MP)
The 2026 Atlanta United season started much the same way their 2025 season ended. The 2-0 loss against FCC began string of disjointed and erratic performances. They struggled to find goals despite having three designated players to lead their front line and could not keep the ball out of the back of the net.
This led to a squad overhaul that saw league-record signing striker Emmanuel Lattte Lath loaned to Union Berlin. Defender Pedro Amador, winger Saba Lobjanidze, and defender Stian Gregersen additionally departed the club. The front office was aggressive to replace those players, with Swiss international Breel Embolo headlining the window.
Breel Embolo announcement from Atlanta United.
Since then, Atlanta has seen a new life with a record of 4-2-3 over the last nine games. The growth has been led by a rise in offensive production as they have scored 15 goals during the period. While not prolific, at 1.67 goals per game, it is nearly a whole goal increase in their per-game scoring rate.
Their defense, however, has not seen an equivalent step forward. Atlanta have not reduced their goals-allowed rate from before the summer. In their most recent match with NYCFC, the opponents were able to beat a wide defender and square a ball to the penalty spot for a wide-open runner to score, a move that FCC fans have seen scored on themselves several times.
FC CINCINNATI – 10th in the East (33 pts, 26 MP)
While Atlanta have been building since the summer, Cincinnati has been struggling. At 2-3-4 over their last nine matches, winless in their last six, they are looking for a win to reverse the tide.
Evander walking with training staff. February 21, 2026 Photo courtesy of Jon Goldsberry for CST.
All being said, things got a little bit harder as injury news came out on Thursday. Evander would be out for the game after picking up a knock against CF Montréal.
“(Evander) picked up his injury in the Montréal game and felt like he could get through the game, and he did,” Pat Noonan addressed on Thursday. “And then the news that we got after was–I don’t want to say worse than expected, but he didn’t think it was going to be much. But he’ll be out for this game and TBD after that. He’s been out on the field pushing himself individually, but the plan was to move him along in a way where we knew he wasn’t going to be available for the weekend.”
With 13 goals and 10 assists taken off the table, FC Cincinnati need to fill the offensive void left by Evander’s absence. In the past when Evander had been missing, Dado Valenzuela assumed the #10 role. However, it could also fall on the shoulders of Pavel Bucha, who has scored six goals across all competitions since the World Cup break.
There has, however, been other positive news. Summer transfer Tyrell Malacia, the third of the defensive transfers this summer, has had his visa approved. While it is unknown who among the new signings will slot into the starting lineup, it will likely be a priority for Noonan to figure it out leading into the playoffs. Thus far, the defense has given up the second-most goals in the league (64 goals against), but they will be hoping they can put a clamp on Atlanta’s attack. FCC’s first match in 2025 was one of two clean sheets the team has managed in MLS this season.
With a brutal finishing stretch, FCC will be aiming to kick start a playoff push with a win this weekend.
WHEN – Saturday October 10 @ 7:30 PM
WHERE – Mercedes Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
HOW TO WATCH – AppleTV+
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