FC Cincinnati and Atlanta United will both look like turning overwhelming to the new season when they meet on Saturday afternoon in southwestern Ohio.
FC Cincinnati (2-2-0, 6 points) has won both its home games and lost both their away games so far. But regardless of the arena, the attack has been somewhat less productive than could be expected, given the addition of striker Kevin Denkey early in the season and then attacked midfielder Evander – to replace the departing Luciano Acosta – just before the season began.
And last weekend, FC Cincinnati was closed for the first time in a 2-0 loss at Charlotte FC.
“We need better runs in the box to open up different spaces, we need better crosses, more dangerous crosses,” said FC Cincinnati -Manager Pat Noonan. “I think we did a good job of finding a little shot from around the top of the box, where it is about beating corners. And many of these moments were right in the hands on (goalkeeper Kristijan) Kahlina.”
Denkey, who leads Cincy with three goals, will be gone on international service. However, Noonan will have most of his squad, including Evander, who has a goal and an assist so far in his first season for his second MLS team.
It cannot be said to Atlanta Ronny Deila, who has to do with eight dials, including attacking midfielder Miguel Almiron and defensive midfielder Bartosz Slisz. Almiron has given assists on half of Atlanta’s four goals.
“The good and exciting thing is that we have to use other players, and then they get the opportunity to show themselves,” Deila said. “(It is) an opportunity now to get more players to the guard list who can do a job.”
Emmanuel Late Lath scored his third goal in his first MLS season in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat against Lionel Messis Inter Miami, a heading that gave Atlanta (1-2-1, 4 points) an early lead.
But Deila’s side has fought during the second half of the matches this season, where they have been outscored 5-2. Atlanta has not scored a goal for the second half since 3-2 victory over Montreal on the opening weekend and admitted in the 89th minute against Miami.
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