FC Cincinnati Faces Atlanta United in MLS Playoff Race Clash

FC Cincinnati visits Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium with both teams needing points in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The match follows Cincinnati’s six-game winless run, while Atlanta enters the matchup six points outside postseason places after a 2-2 draw with New York City FC.

According to FC Cincinnati, kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Atlanta United and Major League Soccer are monitoring weather conditions linked to Hurricane Isaias, with the club saying fan safety remains the priority.

Cincinnati entered the match in 10th place in the East with 33 points, while Atlanta sat in 14th with 27 points. According to beIN Sports, Cincinnati had gone five league matches without a win before the international break after a 3-1 loss to CF Montreal.

FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan said his team could not underestimate any opponent while fighting for a playoff place.

"We're not good enough to overlook anybody," said Pat Noonan, FC Cincinnati head coach.

Noonan also questioned the team’s energy after the loss in Montreal and said adjustments could be needed to change the squad’s form.

"Missing players or not, they were in a more dire situation, and that's why it's confusing to not have more energy to play," said Pat Noonan, FC Cincinnati head coach.

He said Cincinnati would evaluate options to improve performances during the final stretch of the regular season.

"There are guys that we could probably make changes with. That's something to look at to see how you bring life and shake things up to see how we get out of that funk," said Pat Noonan, FC Cincinnati head coach.

Noonan added that confidence and intensity were areas the team needed to restore before the playoff push continued.

"Some guys looked tired. Some guys look uncertain of themselves on the field, and it doesn't matter where you are in the standings, it doesn't matter talent level, you have to care, and you have to bring the energy and the confidence in your play," said Pat Noonan, FC Cincinnati head coach.

Cincinnati used the international break to train and prepare for a demanding final schedule. Noonan said the team worked on fitness, defensive structure and correcting mistakes that had contributed to dropped points.

"I think it helped us, obviously with training ideas, but also to get some guys some good fitness, and some new pieces with Tyrell and Julián and David involved," said Pat Noonan, FC Cincinnati head coach.

Noonan said the break also gave the team time to address issues before returning to league action.

"We had a chance to just work, and I thought that aspect of it was good…energy was good. Typically, when you come out of that last game, and it wasn't good for us, you try to have that conversation so you can move forward, and that's kind of how we approached it. We worked on some things, and hopefully we can just go out and perform," said Pat Noonan, FC Cincinnati head coach.

Atlanta has improved offensively in recent matches, scoring multiple goals in eight of its last 12 regular-season games, according to match statistics reported by beIN Sports. Giuliano Galoppo scored in his first regular-season home appearance for Atlanta, while Evander has recorded 26 goal contributions for Cincinnati this season.

Atlanta United midfielder Elias Baez said the team remained focused on reaching the postseason.

"We're going to fight to make the playoffs," said Elias Baez, Atlanta United player.

Cincinnati’s final stretch includes seven matches before the end of the regular season, with the club looking to recover its form and secure playoff qualification.