On a brisk Saturday afternoon, FC Cincinnati faced off against Atlanta United at TQL Stadium, hoping to build on their recent winning streak. But the match, played on March 22, 2025, ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw, featuring a blend of spectacular goals, defensive errors, and significant player absences.
FC Cincinnati entered the match sitting in eighth place with two wins out of four league matches, while Atlanta United was struggling in twelfth place with just one win. Despite being the home team, Cincinnati had its challenges, missing key players like Kévin Denkey, who was on international duty with Togo, and Gilberto Flores, who was serving a suspension after receiving a red card in a previous match.
Atlanta United, on the other hand, faced an even tougher situation, missing eleven players due to a combination of international duties and injuries. Key absentees included Miguel Almirón and Jamal Thiare, both essential to the team's strategy. This left Atlanta's roster significantly depleted going into the match.
As the match got underway, both teams seemed cautious at first, but it was only a matter of time before the action picked up. In the 50th minute, Emmanuel Latte Lath gave Atlanta a 1-0 lead with a well-placed shot following a cross from Saba Lobjanidze. This marked his team-leading fourth goal of the season, showcasing his explosive talent on the field.
However, FC Cincinnati was quick to respond. The turning point came in the 70th minute when Evander, an offseason signing from the Portland Timbers, scored on a deflected free kick, leveling the match at 1-1. Just five minutes later, Evander struck again, putting Cincinnati ahead 2-1 after taking advantage of a turnover and a missed tackle by Atlanta's defense.
But the excitement didn’t end there. In an unfortunate twist for Cincinnati, Alvas Powell scored an own goal in the 88th minute, capitalizing on a cross that he inadvertently directed into his own net, thereby handing Atlanta a much-needed equalizer.
The coach of Atlanta, Ronny Deila, reflected on the match, stating, "I think we should have won the game; we were the better team in 60 minutes. But we just lose total shape and concentration and discipline when things are going against us." His sentiments echoed the frustration experienced by both teams as they navigated the challenges posed by injuries and missed opportunities.
Throughout the match, both sides displayed a lack of consistency, with Atlanta failing to register a shot on goal until the 35th minute and Cincinnati struggling to exploit defensive lapses effectively. Despite their offensive efforts, Atlanta finished with more expected goals (2.15) compared to Cincinnati’s 0.74, highlighting the disparity in chances created.
Cincinnati’s coach, Pat Noonan, will be concerned with the team's inability to maintain a lead after securing it late in the game. They had previously beaten Atlanta in their last two meetings, which added to the disappointment of not clinching victory at home.
Looking ahead, FC Cincinnati remains in the middle of the Eastern Conference standings while Atlanta United is left wrestling with the urgent need to improve their form, having only amassed five points from five matches, marking one of their slowest starts in history.
Players to watch in upcoming matches include Evander, who has quickly become a key player for Cincinnati, and Latte Lath, whose potential is crucial for Atlanta’s attacking threat. Both sides will need to dig deep as they prepare for future games, with injuries and tactical adjustments shaping the road ahead.
