Atlanta United vs. FC Cincinnati: Match preview, predicted lineups, and score prediction

Why does MLS still play games through the international break?

Atlanta United going into an early-season match during a FIFA window extremely shorthanded seems to be an annual rite of passage. You’d be forgiven if you have a bit of PTSD ahead of Saturday’s match against FC Cincinnati (see: March 25, 2023, a 6-1 loss to the Columbus Crew).

In case you need a refresher, here’s who’s on international duty:

• Luis Abram – Peru; CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying
• Miguel Almiron – Paraguay; CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying
• Luke Brennan – U.S. U-20s
• Noah Cobb – U.S. U-20s
• Jay Fortune – Trinidad and Tobago; Concacaf Gold Cup qualifying
• Stian Gregersen – Norway; UEFA World Cup qualifying
• Efrain Morales – Bolivia; CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying
• Bartosz Slisz – Poland; UEFA World Cup qualifying

The big story here is, obviously, the absence of four center backs, but two of Atlanta’s top midfielders will be MIA as well, and another is questionable. (Will Reilly season, anyone?) The point is that this isn’t ideal timing for a group that just suffered a gut-wrenching loss to Inter Miami in its own building, but the schedule’s the schedule at this point. We’ll see how creative Ronny Deila gets with his starters up at TQL Stadium.

Still, though, why does MLS still play games through the international break?

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The book on FC Cincinnati

They’ll be shorthanded, though not nearly missing as many players as Atlanta. The big one is obviously Kevin Denkey, who’s with Togo’s squad, while Teenage Hadebe, who was likely set to miss Saturday while working on his green card, is a definite out due to a hamstring. We’ll see Miles Robinson and Matt Miazga, who were both dealing with injuries of their own but have been given the green light.

To keep from burying the lede further, the story will be Evander (1 goal, 1 assist this season) and Luca Orrelano. Evander received a number of MVP votes last season and is easily a top 3 (top 2?) No. 10 in MLS. Orrelano (11g/5a in 2024) was a force on the wing in his first season in the league, and there’s no reason to think that he won’t pick up where he left off — especially with Denkey in the fold.

The results haven’t been fully there yet for Cincinnati, but most of that’s due to having to balance Champions Cup. They should be just fine once that attack starts gelling (hopefully not against Atlanta).

Atlanta United injury/availability report

It’s not worth revisiting how many Atlanta players will be out due to the international break. Injury-wise, though, Mateusz Klich is questionable, but I think he comes of the bench as he continues to get 90-minutes fit. Edwin Mosquera is out and week-to-week after a scary-looking collision with one of the ad boards toward the end of the Miami match. We won’t see Jamal Thiare, either, as he continues to recover from a quad injury.

Fortunately, Ronald Hernandez is available for selection for this one. If only he were a center back.

Atlanta United predicted starting XI at FC Cincinnati

Prediction: FC Cincinnati 1-1 Atlanta United

My gut tells me Atlanta will fall behind in this one before grabbing a goal and holding on to secure a draw. Obviously it won’t be a winning result, but it’ll be a result nonetheless for a shorthanded group.

Get ready for Atlanta United vs. FC Cincinnati

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