FC Cincinnati looks to sweep series against Atlanta United

The Orange and Blue hope to extend their winning streak to five games against the Five Stripes on Wednesday, as FC Cincinnati returns to TQL Stadium following a 2-1 victory over rival Columbus in the “Hell is Real” derby.

FCC (7-2-3) comes into the match in second place in the Eastern Conference with 24 points, just three points behind Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, who currently sits in first place with 27.

Meanwhile, Atlanta United (3-3-5) is in big decline. The team is on a six-game winless streak, following a home loss to DC United on Wednesday, the third straight home defeat and first time in club history, and has just 12 points from 11 games. Atlanta currently sits below the playoff line in 10th place.

So yeah, it hasn’t exactly been good in the Peach State.

HISTORY OF THE SERIES

Atlanta United leads the all-time series between these two clubs with a record of 5-3-3. But the Orange and Blue are undefeated in the last three meetings against the Five Stripes, including their 2-1 victory at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on April 20 earlier this season.

The last time these two teams met, Atlanta’s Thiago Almada opened the scoring in the second half, just before two goals from Luca Orellano and Lucho Acosta just two minutes apart gave Cincinnati the victory over the road.

ATLANTA UNITED

A win at Cincinnati on Wednesday could be the start of a turnaround. Yet head coach Gonzalo Pineda has only managed to win eight road games since joining Atlanta United in August of the 2021 season. On a positive note for ATL, one of those wins came at the TQL stage.

The Five Stripes are generally known for their counter-attacking style of football, which has led them to be one of the most entertaining teams to watch from an attacking perspective since entering the league in 2017. However, this season they have only scored 16 goals.

The reason? Designated forward Giorgos Giakoumakis has missed three games this season due to injury and still leads the team with five goals. The 2023 MLS Newcomer of the Year is the spearhead of Atlanta’s attack, and when he’s not scoring, no one else has taken over this season.

His fellow DP Thiago Almada is not the same Almada we are used to seeing this year. The World Cup winner has only three goals this season and hasn’t been as sharp as in 2o23. After all, he scored 28 goals for this team last year, with 12 goals and 16 assists.

Atlanta will look to earn its first road win of the season in a location that has become a stronghold for FCC. If the visiting team is to get a result, Giakoumakis and Almada must each have big games.

FC CINCINNATI

Riding Saturday’s highs, FCC have now won four matches in a row and outscored their opponents 7-3, but more impressively, the team has only conceded three goals in that stretch.

Defensively, FCC has conceded the fewest goals in MLS thus far, allowing just 10 goals in 12 games. Reigning MLS Defender of the Year Matt Miazga has been huge all season, and his new partner Miles Robinson has also been elite, the latter of whom I’m sure wouldn’t hesitate not to appear on the scoresheet against his former team.

Acosta has also scored in four straight matches, has six goals and six assists so far this season and leads the league in key passes. There isn’t much to say about Lucho, his production and leadership for Cincinnati is irreplaceable.

New signing Kevin Kelsy scored his first goal for the Orange and Blues on Saturday. We could very well see the Venezuelan make his first start for the FCC tomorrow, but the question is who will be his partner? Corey Baird was replaced by Kelsy last game, so signs would point to Yuya Kubo getting another starting high. It will be interesting to see what Pat Noonan decides to do up top.

Wing depth has been a bit of an issue this season. Alvas Powell was replaced early in Columbus, and regular starter DeAndre Yedlin is still questionable due to a hip injury. But with Bret Hasley returning from a red card suspension, he will be available.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Giorgos Giakoumakis – #7, Atlanta United

Against all the reasons mentioned above, he is the focal point of the Five Stripes, dangerous from set pieces and has very good movement inside the 18. Cincinnati will have to mark Giakoumakis, deny him any place in the box and win aerial duels.

Bartosz Slisz – #6, Atlanta United

The Polish defensive midfielder has been quiet for Atlanta this season. He will play a vital role in stopping Acosta and protecting the Atlanta United backline.

Lucho Acosta – #10, FC Cincinnati

He’s the reigning MVP for a reason, he does almost everything offensively for this Cincinnati team. When he scores or puts his name in the box, FCC does not lose many matches.

Luca Orellano – #23, FC Cincinnati

Atlanta loves to move guards Brooks Lennon and Caleb Wiley forward, which leaves plenty of space on the left side for Orellano when Lennon advances. He has been a constant for FCC this season. He scored last time out against Atlanta, and he will be key for the Orange and Blue on Wednesday.

WHEN AND WHERE TO WATCH

You can watch MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m. at TQL Stadium.