Atlanta United v FC Cincinnati Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta Saturday, April 20, 7:30 PM Apple TV MLSsoccer.com preview here. AJC.com United coverage AUFC home page Cincy home page Player Availability Atlanta QUESTIONABLE: Giorgos Giakoumakis (knee) OUT: Stian Gregersen (knee) OUT: Xande Silva (adductor) OUT: Jamal Thiaré (hamstring) OUT: Derrick Williams (calf) Cincy OUT: London Aghedo (leg) OUT: Roman Celentano (ankle) Past Results Atlanta (3-2-2) ATL 2-2 PHI CFG:NY 1-1 ATL ATL 3-0 CHI Cincy (3-3-2) MTL 2-1 FCC FCC 1-2 RB:NY CLT 1-1 FCC ~ Doug's notes and podcast (in the AJC coverage) highlight the extent Cincy is struggling in the post-Brandon Vasquez era, with only 8 goals in 8 matches played. Yes, they're doing okay defensively, but otherwise they're looking less comprehensive as a team compared to last season. Here's to hoping that run of form lasts at least one more week, especially since it looks like Atlanta needs to do as well as possible at home this year. Doug also thinks GG might play if needed, but won't start. Up the Stripes!
I forget who it was, one of the podcasters that cover United, but he talked about the 9+2 or 8+3 rule. Basically in MLS, you can handle having 2 or 3 backups in your starting lineup and still be fine. Lose any more than that and the win percentage plummets. We're at 4, and 2 are DPs to boot. Cincinnati's offense is sputtering, but this has Miles scoring a winner to haunt his old team all over it.
Rios and Mosquera in the starting XI. Cobb and Abram still the pairing at back for now. Also, the roof is open! Huzzah!
Miles scoring a winner would be the absolute crusher, especially since he could never get that going for us (and that's the one part of his game that kept him from being Euro bait).
Four minutes in, and Cincinnati has had the better of play. Our midfield is at sixes and sevens so far.
HT: 0-0 Atlanta with more possession but half the shots of our opponent. Quality of the final pass is lacking. Especially Mosquera, who's blown two solid chances. Saba is looking lively, but frustrated he's not gotten more service. Cincy has to use a sub late in the half.
FT: 1-2 I'm stupefied. Atlanta gave up the equalizer on what has to be the worst corner kick ever. Can't wait to hear what the explanation for that one will be. Then, as per the norm, the team remained switched off for several minutes, allowing Cincy to take the lead. Atlanta looked worse than last week, both in terms of hustle and execution. Just an off week? Wrong strategy? Too naive in their expectations? Whatever, this may have been their worst performance of the season, cause at home against a team that has struggled to score Atlanta looked the lesser side. Ugh
I will go to my grave knowing that short corners aren't worth it, and you should always have players in position to get the balls cleared out from the initial cross.
If I recall correctly Atlanta did the same thing several years back, gave up a goal on their own corner. I'm with you, I hate short corners. I don't like ragging on kids, but I felt like things took a turn once Muyamba came off for Fortune. Fortune was late to balls constantly, and both goals came after Muyumba came off. Probably wouldn't have made a difference on the first goal, but Muyamba could have stopped the second. Edit to add: Having said that, to be fair to the team, when you're down to your 4th CB and a RB as your central defense, few clubs will succeed in that instance.