FC Cincinnati return to TQL Stadium for another crucial Eastern Conference battle when the Orange and Blue host Atlanta United FC. Kickoff from the Queen City on Saturday, August 13 is set for 7:30 p.m. as FCC seek a first ever home victory over the 5-Stripes, and a second consecutive win following up last weekend’s 3-1 triumph over Philadelphia Union.
Saturday will be FC Cincinnati’s first Esports Night celebrating the local gaming community. It will feature a meet and greet with the club’s eMLS player Macissé ‘Cissé’ Diop and more activations prior to the game at Washington Park beginning at 4:30 p.m.
FC CINCINNATI vs ATLANTA UNITED FC – SATURDAY, AUGUST 13, 2022 – 7:30 p.m. ET – TQL STADIUM
HOW TO WATCH
Local TV: Star64
Local Stream: fccincinnati.com
Out of Market Stream: ESPN+
Radio: ESPN 1530
Talent: Tom Gelehrter (play-by-play), Kevin McCloskey (analyst)
Be sure to follow @FCCincinnati on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for live updates from the game.
GAME ACTIVATIONS
From 4:30-7:30 p.m., fans can hang out with eMLS player Cissé and enjoy additional activations at Washington Park including:
• Video game truck
• Live DJ
• Face painting and balloon artist
• Kids soccer games
• Beer, wine, hard seltzer, and drink specials available for purchase at The Porch
Fans can join the Supporters March to the stadium, departing Washington Park at approximately 6:45 pm.
The first 13,000 fans who enter the stadium will receive a limited-edition FC Cincinnati hat, presented by TQL.
Additionally, local professional esports team Cincinnati Fear will be on the TQL Stadium concourse with gaming opportunities for fans throughout the evening.
As fans depart the game on Saturday, presenting sponsor Klosterman will offer a coupon for Klosterman fresh baked goods.
Can’t make it to the game and looking for a place to watch the Orange and Blue? Head to one of the club’s official Pub Partners for the season, which broadcast all home and away games and feature opportunities for fans to win prizes all season long.
ALL-TIME SERIES
Atlanta United FC lead the all-time MLS series over FCC, 5-1-3 (2-0-1 in Cincinnati)
SCOUTING ATLANTA UNITED FC (7-9-7, 28 PTS, 11TH EASTERN CONFERENCE)
The Orange and Blue hope to capitalize on Atlanta’s road woes this season, the 5-Stripes enter Cincinnati with a 1-7-3 record on the road. The lone win came back on April 2, a 1-0 victory at D.C. United.
Injuries have been a major storyline for Head Coach Gonzalo Pineda’s squad in 2022. Main contributors out include goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who ruptured his Achilles tendon in the first meeting between FCC and Atlanta, central defender Miles Robinson (Achilles), Emerson Hyndman (quad) and George Campbell (adductor). Brooks Lennon (MCL) and Matheus Rossetto (ankle) are questionable for Saturday.
Attacking midfielder Marcelino Moreno is the only player to have seen action in all 23 of Atlanta’s MLS games this season. Forward Ronaldo Cisneros is the club’s leading goal scorer, with seven goals this season.
Then of course there is Josef Martínez, who FC Cincinnati avoided seeing in April’s scoreless draw between the sides in Atlanta. Martínez has scored six career goals against the Orange and Blue, and enters Saturday with 99 career goals in his MLS tenure.
In a statistical oddity, the 5-Stripes lead MLS with 348 shots entering Week 25 of competition. Their 120 shots on target are ironically tied with FC Cincinnati for the third-most in the league. Yet, the club ranks in the bottom-10 in MLS in goals scored (31).
Atlanta rank 27th of 28th in the league in goals on the road, having scored just nine times away from Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
STORYLINES OF THE GAME
GETTING OLD – Saturday will mark the 10th all-time MLS meeting between FC Cincinnati and Atlanta United FC. It will mark the first opponent FCC have faced 10 times since joining MLS in 2019.
WELCOME, MATT! – Saturday could feature the debut of defender Matt Miazga, acquired by FCC from Chelsea FC on Friday, August 5. The 6’3’’ center back was signed through the 2025 season, with an option for 2026, via the No. 1 spot in the MLS Allocation Order.
MILESTONE STREAKS ON THE LINE – Two goal streaks are put to the test on Saturday, as Brandon Vazquez seeks to become the first player in club history to score in four consecutive games. Meanwhile Brenner, who has scored in two games running, seeks a third straight game with a goal for the second time this season (June 24 – July 3: vs. ORL, vs. NYC, at NE).
Additionally, Álvaro Barreal has provided an assist in three straight games. Should he assist a goal vs Atlanta, it will be the first four-game assist streak in club history. There have been 11 assist streaks in club history, only Barreal’s current run and Luciano Acosta’s run (June 24 – July 3: vs. ORL, vs. NYC, at NE) earlier this season has reached three games.
THE ALL-STARS ARE BACK – The aforementioned Brandon Vazquez and Luciano Acosta represented the club as the first All-Stars in club history Wednesday night at the 2022 MLS All-Star Game in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Each came on as second half subs, with Acosta seeing 29 minutes of action and Vazquez on the field for 17 minutes.
Acosta has scored six career goals against Atlanta United, two more than against any other opponent (4 against Chicago and Toronto).
SCORING CHANGE – Luciano Acosta was credited with an assist in Álvaro Barreal’s 71st minute goal against Philadelphia Union last Saturday, which means Acosta earned an assist in all three goals of the 3-1 win against the Union. Acosta is the first player in club history to record three assists in a single game.
Acosta’s 14 assists this season lead all MLS players, and are two more than any other player (New England Revolution Carles Gil’s – 12).
NOONAN’S TAKE
Head Coach Pat Noonan on if facing Atlanta adds more urgency to earn a result based on the standings
“I wouldn't say added sense of urgency. I think it's the awareness of where we're at and the importance of certainly winning home games. Winning against teams that are right around us in the table, and certainly below us. I think that's important. I've said to the guys, we want teams to be chasing us and not the other way around. So every game, every week that we can be above the line, that's going to be important, and certainly this week with Atlanta, right in the mix and behind us in the table, this will be an important game for both teams. And certainly if we can find a way to walk off the field with three points, that'll be important for us to stay above the line for another week."
Fans can place deposits now for 2023 Season Tickets, and current season ticket holders can renew for 2023 now. Anyone with interest in 2023 Season Tickets can place their deposit HERE, or by calling 513-977-KICK, that’s 513-977-5425.
FC Cincinnati's 2022 schedule can be viewed, HERE. Fans can build their custom 3 Match Flex Plan today. Pick any three matches and save on single match ticket pricing with no fees at checkout. Fans can pick the same seats for three games or select different options around TQL Stadium.
Single match tickets to any of FC Cincinnati’s remaining home games are also available now, head to fccincinnati.com/tickets or call 513-977-KICK, to learn more.
FC Cincinnati are playing their fourth season of MLS competition in 2022, and their second playing at TQL Stadium. For up-to-the-minute information about FC Cincinnati, visit the team’s official website at fccincinnati.com, or follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @FCCincinnati. Additionally, fans are encouraged to download the team’s official mobile app on the Apple App Store or Google Play for instant access to mobile tickets, team content and match notifications.
