Final Whistle: FC Cincinnati 2-0 Atlanta United | Late Goals Decide Season Opener

Atlanta United Starts Their 2026 MLS Season in Cincinnati (photo courtesy: Jason Longshore)

In front of a less-than capacity crowd at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Atlanta United kicked off their 2026 MLS season with a 2-0 loss on the road. There are plenty of takeaways from Match Day 1 in a 34-match season in a statistically-even match. Atlanta United was in control to start. FC Cincinnati took control as the second half went along- scoring twice in the last ten minutes- in a match that came down to individual moments.

The starting XI had its share of new names with the likes of Cooper Sanchez, Elias Baez, Tomas Jacob, and Lucas Hoyos joining Latte Lath (wearing #9 in 2026), Saba (wearing #11), Almiron, Alzate, Mihaj, Hernandez, and Berrocal. Cooper Sanchez becomes the youngest player in Atlanta United history to start a season opener at 17 years, 332 days old.

United had two early chances with Saba sending in a curler from outside the 18- forcing a save from FCC keeper Roman Celentano in the 6th minute- and Miguel Almiron with a shot directly on target a few minutes later.

FCC Head Coach Pat Noonan had to make an early change after Evander went down on the end line in the 10th minute trying to maintain possession against Tomas Jacob. Dado Valenzuela became the sub for the home side.

Sanchez, Baez, and Jacob looked right at home defending the attack of FC Cincinnati- Jacob even springing Latte Lath with a lengthy pass in the attacking half in the 21st minute and following the play almost creating a second chance for Atlanta United.

Lucas Hoyos answered the bell twice in the 30's as, on a play eventually ruled offside, he made an excellent parry on a cross from the attacking right stopping a rush. Two minutes later, on a chip to the far post he tipped the ball to himself to keep possession.

Atlanta United, after being able to build up in the first 25 minutes or so, was forced to play out of the back more than they had and the first 45 ended up goalless.

Food For Thought After 45:

Cooper Sanchez had 3 interceptions and a clearance

Tomas Jacob was 4-for-4 on duels

Elias Baez had a tackle to go with 5 clearances

The first close moment for a goal on the board came off a second chance in the 48th minute. Dado Valenzuela sent a ball inside the 6, the ball pinballed around, and Valenzuela tried to draw a penalty on the second chance. After a VAR look, nothing was found. Dado created another chance gaining a yellow card on Tomas Jacob. The kick from 30 was cleared away in the 52nd was cleared but offside was called by the AR.

The closest chance to change the numbers on the scoreboard came off a pass from Juan Berrocal in the 56th. A pass from the back went from Berrocal off Valenzuela and over to Kevin Denkey. Denkey drove toward the Atlanta 18 but his shot went off the outside of the far post.

United responded with their best chance in the second half as Roman Celentano was forced into a diving save to his right off a Miguel Almiron shot through traffic. In the 67th, Atlanta United fans had a moment breathing quickly off a home side set piece. A chip and a flick ended up as a ball off to the near side as Kevin Denkey was left alone at the near post. Lucas Hoyos ended up well out of the 6, but Juan Berrocal cleared the chance off the line to have the match remain goalless.

FC Cincinnati finally broke through with ten minutes to go as the home team would eventually take advantage off an Atlanta turnover. A through-ball in the middle third would find Ender Echenique in the attacking half. Echenique would pass to his left to Kevin Denkey just outside the 18. Lucas Hoyos would force Denkey wide twice before scoring his first of the season at the edge of the 6.

Atlanta United had one final chance where Latte Lath looked onside in the 88th minute as Celentano appeared to foul him as Atlanta United's #9 chased an equalizer. The play led to a penalty shout but not a penalty call and the questions that follow...

FC Cincinnati would add a goal off a corner in the 90th as Nick Hagglund beat everyone to the ball inside the 6. His header made it 2-0- the eventual final score.

For Atlanta United, there's a lot that will be looked at and worked on before the trip to San Jose next weekend. For a team that had limited game action in the pre-season, there were new faces that did well in their debuts.

Examples: Cooper Sanchez ends up two interceptions, two clearances, four recoveries, and won a duel in 73 minutes. Tomas Jacob had eight different contributions in three categories to go along with for a defensive unit that held together well in a debut.

The match came down to moments, a transition opportunity that FC Cincinnati is well known for closing, and Atlanta United learning about itself in the return of Tata Martino.

There will be more learning in the next seven days...