We’re back.
What do those words elicit for you ahead of Atlanta United’s embarkation into the 2026 season? Is it excitement? Surprise? Indifference? Is it …dread?
Well, whatever you may feel as the Five Stripes enter their tenth season (it’s almost been a decade??) of MLS play later this afternoon, there’s no running from it anymore. Enough with the speculation over Tata being able to get some coherence with this roster. Enough questioning whether a four month break will make Atlanta’s Designated Players come alive again. Today, we’ll see it all put to the test, and a tough one at that against last year’s Shield runners-up FC Cincinnati.
What we’ve come back to is an Atlanta United team that seems to have more unknowns than ever. A year ago from this moment, nobody would have forgone the confidence brought about by new signings and a new manager, all of whom had a résumé of success, and placed Atlanta next to last in the table. That is, clearly, no longer the case.
Instead, it’s exactly that lack of confidence in what the future holds that brings us into a new season. The chance for last year’s misery to be left in the past, to reclaim some lasting sense of enjoyment from this team, now with Tata Martino back at the helm… it’s enough to have hope.
So, we’re back. Back to watching Atlanta United play the first of many games in 2026. While I doubt many will have the same bright optimism as they did heading into last year’s 3-2 win over CF Montréal, there’s still some excitement in starting a fresh, new season. Even if the result doesn’t end in the Five Stripes’ favor, any progress towards rebuilding from a disastrous 2025 will be welcome.
What’s there to look for this afternoon, you ask? Well, you’ve come to the right place. The Scarves and Spikes crew has you covered with everything you’ll need to be ready by the time the ball starts rolling at TQL Stadium, including:
Atlanta United at FC Cincinnati: Three Things to Watch in Saturday’s 2026 MLS Season Opener
Cincinnati’s wingbacks are going to push high tomorrow. Can Tata’s Atlanta make them pay in transition? Three things to watch in Saturday’s MLS season opener at TQL Stadium.
Atlanta United at FC Cincinnati preview, lineups, injuries, score prediction
Atlanta United opens up its 2026 season — and the second Tata Martino era — at FC Cincinnati on Saturday.
Atlanta United at FC Cincinnati: 3 questions with Laurel Pfahler
The inside scoop on FC Cincinnati from journalist and FCC beat writer Laurel Pfahler.
Will Atlanta United take advantage of Cincinnati’s short rest from Champions Cup play and hard launch into the new season? Or will Tata’s return to the touchline go the way his other openers with Atlanta have?
There’ll still be work to do, regardless of result. But for today, we’ve got soccer to watch again.
You can do that in a variety of ways, including on the national FOX broadcast on traditional television. You can also acquaint yourself with watching MLS on plain ol’ Apple TV- that’s right, no more Season Pass. All MLS coverage is now included this year in an Apple TV subscription. Audio coverage can be found in English on 92.9 The Game and in Spanish on La Mejor.
Y’all ready? Let’s do it.
Atlanta United’s Lineup:
FC Cincinnati’s Lineup:
How to Watch:
Venue: TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
Kickoff Time: Saturday, February 21st, 4:45 PM ET
Available TV/Streaming: FOX, FOX Deportes, Apple TV
Available Radio: 92.9 The Game, La Mejor 1600/1460/1130 AM
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The positives are Jacob and Almiron.
Not sure Hoyas is better than Hibbert.
I’m really not sure what you do when you pay what LL costed and he looks consistently worse than Thiare. I understand he is a great athlete, but when does it translate to decent shots?
Stian should probably be get another shot over Berrocal – who just disappeared on those goals.
Was thinking the very same about ELL. Thiare only shorter and a boatload more expensive.
Good start for Jacob.
Miggy… he’s a club legend and I love him but his age is showing and he hasn’t been a 90 minute guy for a while. He guts it out and I admire that but you can see he’s gassed by the 70th at the latest.
All that said I was pretty hopeful for a point until I wasn’t and after the 1st goal I was just wondering if we could even keep a clean sheet for the rest of the match.
Cicny is the real deal and they look like thoroughbreds when they’re clicking and that defense is top of the teir.
On to Cali. Maybe some surf vibes will help and we can eek out a point.
Not impressed
Not hopeful
Not surprised
Frustrating. Ref lost control of the game, and we fell apart. Same result. So frustrating.
GG everyone. Lets try again next week
Same crap , different year
And Miles steals a goal from us like a reverse Josef
Hoyos seems like he can direct traffic and distribute, but his shot stopping ability has not looked great.
Wait….didn’t that ball deflect off the ref and turn over possession??? Should be a drop ball if it did, and not a counterattack. But we won’t see it on replay….
I thought so too
That was going to happen when you can’t play offense
I made excuses for Baez, but yeah he’s been not so great with the ball at his feet. Jacob has looked great though.
Did they just do a cooling break in 40 degree weather… please explain
something about Ramadan fast for one of the Cin players
Are we not using any subs?
So…still can’t maintain possession. Way too early in the year, but still looks unorganized in defense.
Guess it can get better. LETS GOO!!!!
we maintained possession really well in the first half, but yeah not so much second half
We should be losing this game 2-0
Welp there you go
Thanks Post !
Definitely a lot of movement, so i do like that🤔
Baez has looked terrible with the ball. I would rather Atlanta bring on Edwards and shift Hernandez to LB…
To be fair he missed most of preseason. He came in clutch in a few defensive situations.
I feel like you should not be starting a match if you are not full match ready.
Well Amador isn’t an option for whatever reason, and Chong Qui is out on injury
Also, I meant missed most of preseason meaning he maybe more rusty and hasn’t had the training with the team, but not necessarily physically. Yeah if he’s physically not ready then he shouldn’t start, but seems like he is.
Halftime thoughts: Solid first half against a good fcc. We need to find the balance between quick transitions and sustaining possession to relieve pressure. Also get lath more involved. VAMOS!
So what’s the chant gonna be for Hoyos?
Such consistently poorly hit balls by Saba. Why is he taking free kicks…
LL with the … nothingburger
Evander just got Tyson’ed in the hammy
That sucks for Evander
Got the couch , the dog , and the brew – I am ready for punishment
Is alexei hurt? Otherwise, unacceptable for a DP to not start. If he wasn’t in the plan, he should have been sold
He’s listed as a reserve. So, I’m guessing he’s good to go though I thought I had heard he picked up some sort of injury towards the end of preseason.
I was thinking it’s probably something of that, I think he picked up an injury in a lot of preseason, so he might be healthy again but not entirely back up to match speed.
I think I’m maybe more surprised with Cooper in instead of Muyumba. Unless that’s a similar situation?
Yeah. Me too. In Tata we must trust!
I doubt Muyumba gets a lot of PT under Tata… just a guess
When does the winter window close? Next month, right? With the Galarza deal coming to fruition, could we see someone outbound? It’s a pretty crowded midfield and for the $$$ I don’t see Galarza sitting once he gets here.
The windows don’t make sense to me because what other league window is open? Who can we sell anyone to / buy from
He was getting a lot of primary time in the preseason.
9th season for the club.
It never gets old seeing us at the top of the tables this time of year 😂
Let’s gooooo