The 2026 Major League Soccer season kicked off in style as FC Cincinnati hosted Atlanta United at TQL Stadium on February 21, 2026. For Cincinnati, this home opener wasn’t just another match—it marked the earliest start to an MLS campaign in the club’s history and signaled the beginning of what’s shaping up to be a demanding month. With a packed schedule that includes both league play and CONCACAF Champions Cup fixtures, the Orange and Blue were eager to set the tone in front of their home supporters.
Coming off a strong 2025 season where they finished second in the Eastern Conference and made a playoff run to the semifinals, FC Cincinnati entered the match with high expectations. However, the memory of last season’s abrupt playoff exit—a 4-0 defeat at home to Inter Miami—still lingered. Atlanta United, on the other hand, were looking to turn the page after a disappointing 14th-place finish in the East that saw them miss out on postseason action altogether.
Both teams were familiar foes. Their last meeting, back in May 2025, ended in a 4-2 victory for Atlanta, with goals from Derrick Williams, Ajani Fortune, Bartosz Slisz, and Jamal Thiare. But this time, the stakes were different and the energy inside TQL Stadium was palpable from the opening whistle.
FC Cincinnati’s starting lineup featured Roman Celentano in goal, with a back three of Miles Robinson, Nick Hagglund, and Teenage Lingani Hadebe. The midfield was stacked with Ender Echenique, Pavel Bucha, Evander Ferreira, Samuel Gidi, and Bryan Ramirez, while Kevin Denkey and Ayoub Jabbari led the attack. Atlanta United countered with Lucas Hoyos between the posts, defenders Elias Baez, Enea Mihaj, Juan Berrocal, and Ronald Hernandez, midfielders Saba Lobjanidze, Steven Alzate, Tomas Jacob, Cooper Sanchez, and a front line of Miguel Almiron and Emmanuel Latte-Lath.
Adding a layer of intrigue, Atlanta United announced on matchday that 19-year-old defender Toto Majub had been signed to a Short-Term Agreement from ATL UTD 2, per 2026 MLS roster rules. Majub, who previously played for Amusi Football Club in Uganda and has represented the Ugandan U-20 national team, was eligible for up to four such agreements per season. His impressive 2025 campaign in MLS NEXT Pro included 12 matches, 10 starts, and a goal against Huntsville City FC.
The match itself was a tactical chess match in the first half. Both teams traded early opportunities, with Atlanta’s Saba Lobjanidze forcing Celentano into a diving save and Kevin Denkey nearly capitalizing on a defensive miscue, only to see his attempt deflect out of bounds. Possession was nearly even—Cincinnati held a slight edge at 52%—and both sides registered four shots apiece before the break. Atlanta’s Emmanuel Latte Lath, a familiar adversary for Cincinnati fans, was met with a chorus of boos every time he touched the ball. The tension harkened back to their last encounter, when Latte Lath’s collision with Hagglund sidelined the Cincinnati defender for weeks.
The first half wasn’t without drama, as Cincinnati’s star playmaker Evander was forced off in the 12th minute with hamstring tightness. Head coach Pat Noonan turned to Gerardo “Dado” Valenzuela, who slotted into the midfield and immediately took charge of set pieces. According to Noonan, “We utilize yesterday morning to look at some video before we left the Dominican, start that process of helping these guys understand their first regular season opponent now it’s about giving them as much information about the opponent but understanding we’re at home in the first game and how can we be focused on our play and set a good tone in front of our home fans.”
As the second half unfolded, Cincinnati began to assert themselves. The home side’s chance creation improved, with their expected goals tally climbing to 2.6 compared to Atlanta’s 0.7. In the 67th minute, a deflection gifted Miles Robinson a golden opportunity, but his shot was blocked. Moments later, Ender Echenique volleyed over the bar, and Denkey just missed on the rebound. Atlanta’s defense was bending, but not breaking—at least, not yet.
Substitutions came thick and fast. In the 70th minute, Tom Barlow replaced Jabbari up top, and Gilberto Flores came in for Hadebe on the back line. Atlanta, meanwhile, looked to freshen their legs as well, with Latte Lath continuing to press high and threaten on the counter.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 80th minute. It was a move that started deep in Cincinnati’s half, with Dado Valenzuela heading the ball to Gidi, who then found Echenique on the wing. Echenique picked out Denkey in space, and the striker showed composure beyond his years, lifting his shot over Hoyos and past a scrambling defender on the line. The stadium erupted as Denkey celebrated his second goal in as many games, having already scored in Cincinnati’s 4-0 CONCACAF Champions Cup win over O&M FC earlier in the week.
Atlanta nearly responded immediately. Emmanuel Latte Lath latched onto a long ball, broke into the box, and collided with Celentano. The ball trickled toward the goal line, but Miles Robinson’s last-ditch slide kept it out. Latte Lath was shaken up but stayed in the match, embodying the grit Atlanta needed but couldn’t quite muster in front of goal.
The insurance goal came in the 90th minute. Bryan Ramirez, making his first MLS start, delivered a pinpoint left-footed corner from the right side. Nick Hagglund rose highest and powered a header into the net, sealing the 2-0 victory. For Hagglund, it was his second consecutive regular season game with a goal, following his strike on Decision Day last season. Ramirez, meanwhile, notched his first MLS assist—a moment he and the home crowd won’t soon forget.
As the final whistle blew, Cincinnati had recorded their second shutout in as many games, a stark contrast to last year’s defensive struggles against Atlanta, when they conceded six goals across two matches. Shots and shots on target were level at 9 and 3, but the Orange and Blue’s quality in the final third made all the difference.
The win puts Cincinnati in a strong early position as they prepare for a busy stretch. Next up, they’ll host O&M FC on February 25 in the second leg of their Champions Cup tie, holding a commanding 4-0 aggregate lead. Atlanta, meanwhile, will look to regroup after a hard-fought but ultimately fruitless opener.
With a raucous crowd, new faces making an impact, and a statement victory to open the season, FC Cincinnati fans have every reason to be optimistic. The 2026 MLS campaign is off and running—and if Saturday’s performance is any indication, the Orange and Blue are ready for whatever comes next.