FC Cincinnati Take Down Atlanta United FC, 2-1

April 20, 2024 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
FC Cincinnati 2 News Release

FC Cincinnati scored two goals in the 62nd and 64th minutes to come from behind and knock off Atlanta United FC, 2-1, Saturday night in front of 42,600 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

With the win, the Orange and Blue snapped a two-match skid and improved to 4-2-3 (15 points). Atlanta fell to 3-3-2 (11 points).

The hosts scored first in the 59th minute on a superb strike from Thiago Almada to break the scoreless deadlock. But the lead would be short lived as the Orange and Blue would equalize three minutes later and then take the lead for good just five minutes later.

Luca Orellano scored his first goal for FC Cincinnati in the 62nd minute to send the visitors ahead, while the captain Luciano Acosta scored his 43rd career goal for FCC – tied with Brandon Vazquez for the most in club history – to put FCC ahead for good in the 64th minute.

Cincinnati defeated Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the second-straight season in comeback fashion, 2-1. Saturday marked United’s first loss at home since August 30 of last season against FCC.

AS IT HAPPENED

ATL: Thiago Almada, GOAL – 59′ (1-0) – Atlanta pushed the tempo on a counter, with Edwin Mosquera down the left side finding the host’s star midfielder Thiago Almada at the top of the box who curled a right-footed shot into the lower right corner of the net past a diving Alec Kann.

CIN: Luca Orellano, GOAL – 62′ (1-1) – FC Cincinnati quickly leveled the score, also on a counter. Luciano Acosta intercepted an intended short corner kick for Atlanta and the Orange and Blue were off to the races. Acosta drove down the left side and found Luca Orellano running in behind the Atlanta defense. Orellano took one touch and finely placed his left-footed shot past Brad Guzan for his first goal with FC Cincinnati.

CIN: Luciano Acosta, GOAL – 64′ (1-2) – FC Cincinnati doubled their lead just two minutes after the equalizer. Miles Robinson in Atlanta’s defensive half found DeAndre Yedlin on the right side. Yedlin lifted a perfectly-weighted pass into the box which found Lucho Acosta taking a perfect touch inside the penalty area. Acosta calmly placed his third MLS goal of the season into the back of the net.

FC Cincinnati return home to TQL Stadium next Saturday, April 27 against the Colorado Rapids. Tickets are still available at FCCincinnati.com/Tickets or by calling (513) 977-5425 (KICK). The match will air on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, and fans…