ATLANTA – Looking to snap out of a two game losing streak, FC Cincinnati pushed their way to a positive result and earned an all important three points on the road against Atlanta United FC despite going down 1-0 in the second half.Â
Luciano Acosta would again be the catalyst, earning a goal and an assist in the effort. Luca Orellano would add his first goal with Miles Robinson and DeAndre Yedlin adding assists.
Georgia native and former Atlanta United keeper Alec Kann made his second start of the season and kept The Five Stripes off the scoreboard, slapping away the lone chance on target in the first half with a brilliant diving save on a clear look from in close by Atlanta.
With halftime approaching, FCC faced a difficult situation emotionally and tactically. In working to stop Atlanta’s counter attack, Nick Hagglund and Miles Robinson found themselves on the wrong end of physical challenges. Down and needing attention from the medical staff. Hagglund would need to be replaced due to injury, making way for Ian Murphy, but Robinson would go on. However, due to the new MLS competition rules instituted for the first time league-wide tonight, Robinson would be forced to sit out for two minutes before he rejoined the match. Leaving Atlanta United on a powerplay of sorts, more commonly seen in Hockey rather than soccer.
FCC would weather the storm but it would also essentially end offensive opportunities in the half, playing with a man down.Â
Kann would again save a clear opportunity early to start the second half by rushing out of his net to collect a heavy touch forward from an ATL attacker, sliding sideways to kick the ball out of bounds and diffuse the immediate threat. Moments later, he would stand his ground again and stop a shot on target to halt the opportunity.
It was Atlanta United though who earned the opening goal despite FC Cincinnati having multiple opportunities , ringing two off the post before Thieago Almada curled a pacey shot around Kann to make it 1-0.
It wasn't long though before FC Cincinnait raced back to provide the equalizer. 2023 MLS MVP Luciano Acosta pushed a perfectly timed pass forward to fellow Argentine Luca Orellano, who threaded a shot past ATL keeper Brad Guzan for his first goal with The Orange and Blue.
But the FCC onslaught wasn’t over. Two minutes later Miles Robinson connected a pass to DeAndre Yedlin, who sent in a inch perfect cross to a serging Acosta right in front of net, controlling the pass and tapping in the second goal of the night for FCC to open an net in the 64 minute.
Both Robinson and Yedlin were credited for assists on the goal, giving Acosta his third goal of the season after earning his fifth assist on the opening goal. With the goal, Orellano became the sixth FCC player to earn their first goal for the club this season.
With the lead entering the final 25 minutes of play, FCC held strong on defense while continuing to push for a third goal. A third would not come despite some promising builds, but the defense held firm and allowed just two shots in the final half hour, which Kann deflected in the 90+4 minute and easily swallowed in the 90+5 minute.
The nerviest moment would come in the final minute of the match, with the referee showing seven minutes of stoppage time, Atlanta would win a corner kick in the final minute and push the entire time forward including the keeper Guzan. FCC easily defended the attempt and Miazga sent what would ultimately be the winning clearance up the field to an open space of grass. Allowing the official to blow his whistle for full time.
With the win, FCC improved their record to 4-2-3 and earned their third road victory of the season. With results as they are at full time, FC Cincinnati ended the night with 15 points, good enough for a tie for second place in the Eastern Conference.
FC Cincinnati return to the Queen City, taking on Colorado Rapids next weekend before departing for another two game-road stand.
