FC Cincinnati 2 are back home this Thursday as Atlanta United 2 come to town for the first time since joining MLS NEXT Pro at the start of the 2023 season. It’s a quick turnaround for the Orange and Blue who played to a 1-0 loss against Columbus Crew 2 on Sunday.
The match will be streamed live on mlsnextpro.com.
FC CINCINNATI 2 vs ATLANTA UNITED 2 – THURSDAY, MAY 25, 2023 – 7 p.m. ET – SCUDAMORE FIELD AT NKU SOCCER STADIUM
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ALL-TIME SERIES
Thursday’s match will be the first ever meeting between the two sides.
SCOUTING ATLANTA UNITED 2 (3-4-2, 12PTS., 6TH EASTERN CONFERENCE)
Atlanta United 2 broke into the top half of the Eastern Conference table with a shootout victory over Orlando City B this past Friday. The result snapped back-to-back losses for Atlanta who will look to get back in the win column Thursday night.
Atlanta picked up their first MLS NEXT Pro win on April 16 against Orlando City B. Nick Firmino scored a brace in the 2-1 result as the Brazilian-American midfielder continues to dazzle for Atlanta United 2. Firmino has five goals in nine league appearances for Atlanta and is two goals off the league-lead in the Golden Boot Race.
Karim Tmimi has been powering Atlanta’s attack as of late, scoring two goals over the last three. Tmimi now has three goals on the season in limited action, playing just 361 minutes in seven total appearances. Between Firmino and Tmimi, Atlanta have players who can score goals up front and out of midfield.
Atlanta United 2 have been in several tight battles this season, having lost just one match by more than one goal. Atlanta are only one of two clubs across MLS NEXT Pro to hold an even goal differential (New York City FC II) heading into this midweek matchday.
Steve Cooke joined the Atlanta United 2 staff in February, replacing Jack Collison who is now in charge of Huntsville City FC, as United’s head coach. With his appointment, Cooke is one of the most experienced coaches in MLS NEXT Pro, bringing three decades of managerial experience across multiple levels to United.
GETTING BACK ON TRACK - The Orange and Blue lost their first home match of the season this past Sunday against Columbus Crew 2. Entering Thursday’s match, FC Cincinnati 2 are 2-1-1 at Scudamore Field and carry a +2 goal differential at home. FCC 2 have scored 2.3 goals per match on the NKU campus.
KEEP IT CLEAN - Atlanta United 2 have been fouled 147 times this season, second-most in MLS NEXT Pro. However, FC Cincinnati do well to win the ball cleanly as the Orange and Blue have been called for 98, tied for the third-lowest total across the league. FCC 2 have picked up a total of 22 yellow cards this season while Atlanta have been shown 13, tied for the lowest total in the league.
FIRST TIME RESULTS - FC Cincinnati face Atlanta United 2 for the first time Thursday night. The Orange and Blue have faced two other MLS NEXT Pro newcomers this year, Crown Legacy FC and Huntsville City FC. The Orange and Blue are 0-1-1 in those matches.
HOW THE EAST LOOKS - Crown Legacy FC and Columbus Crew 2 are starting to distance themselves from the rest of the field at the top of the table. Just eight points separate 13th place from 5th place Orlando City B.
FC Cincinnati 2 currently sit 12th but are just four points behind their midweek opponent in Atlanta United 2 who currently reside in 6th place.
QUIMI ON CALL - Arquimides Ordoñez, FCC 2’s top goal scorer remains with the U-20 Guatemalan Nation Team at the U-20 World Cup in Argentina. Ordoñez has six goals to his name in MLS NEXT Pro this season.
