Atlanta United vs. FC Cincinnati: How to pretend like you know what you're talking about for Matchday 8

Basically a family reunion

Same as last time, y’all. We’re going to give you the tools to sound like the smartest person in the room in whatever room you happen to be watching the game. Whether that’s in the stadium. in your house, or in a chat room on the internet, we’re going to try and get you prepared. So get your mind right. This is more about you than it is about me. 

When Atlanta announces their starting lineup say: “Yeah, not surprising to see Atlanta taking their time with the folks getting back to full health.” 

Giorgos Giakoumakis and Xande Silva were both in training yesterday. I’d expect both to play, but I’d be surprised if either started. Atlanta doesn’t want to push players, especially not Giorgos. Go ahead and pencil in Daniel Rios for a second-straight start but have your eraser ready. They’re evaluating GG today and will make a final call then.

Jamal Thiare, Stian Gregersen and Derrick Williams were not. Stian should technically be the closest of the bunch to returning, but prepare for another Noah Cobb and Luis Abram pairing tomorrow. The good news is, they were both excellent last weekend. Gonzalo Pineda applauded both for their aggressiveness defensively and on the ball. 

That matches my eye test too. Both consistently stepped forward when they needed to, both handled the physicality of the game well, and both were willing to break lines with their passing. Coming into last week’s game, their ability to do exactly those things was the biggest concern. I’m much less concerned now. 

Speaking of center backs…

When Cincy announces their starting lineup, say: “Well, it’s good to see Miles where he wants to be I guHOLY SMOKES THAT’S ALEC KANN!” 

Ok, yeah, it’s a Miles Robinson homecoming. You probably new that. But I bet you weren’t expecting Alec Kann back in Atlanta. Again. 

Starting goalkeeper Roman Celentano is out for this one. Kann started last week in Cincy’s 2-1 loss to CF Montreal. He’s made just nine starts since leaving Atlanta. If he starts in this one, he’ll have made two of his 10 starts in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Remember that time he saved a penalty and kept a clean sheet? 

If Cincy looks like a good but not quite Supporters’ Shield-level team say: “They’ve lost some significant pieces and it’s not quite clicking yet in attack.”

The Garys are still an excellent team. However, they lost star striker (and former Atlanta United player) Brandon Vazquez to Monterrey, lost center back Yerson Mosquera and lost standout wingback Alvaro Barreal this offseason. They added Miles, DeAndre Yedlin and an exciting wing prospect named Luca Orellano to the equation, but it hasn’t quite looked the same as last year’s Shield-winning group. 

They’re still tremendous defensively. They’ve allowed seven goals in eight games so far. That’s tied for the best mark in the league with New York and (weirdly) Columbus. But, unlike Columbus, Cincy haven’t needed luck to get there. Per FBref, the Garys are second in the league in expected goals allowed per game. They set up in a 3-5-2 that is incredibly difficult to break down thanks in large part to Robinson, center back Matt Miazga and Best XI-caliber defensive midfielder Obinna Nwobodo. 

The attack isn’t faring as well though. They’ve scored just eight times in eight games this season. Their xG is right in between a bad Toronto team and a CF Montreal side that’s played one fewer game and exactly one home game. That’s pure mediocrity so far. 

The attacking burden is entirely on reigning MLS MVP Lucho Acosta right now. And while he’s still incredible and absolutely hates Atlanta, he can’t do it all alone. New striker Corey Baird hasn’t fared well, and enigmatic DP forward Aaron Boupendza has been, well, enigmatic. In fact their leading scorer is Yuya Kubo, who, despite playing there last weekend and scoring, is very much not a striker. 

If you notice Thiago Almada playing a more advanced role, say: “Ah, yep, here’s the 3-4-3 diamond shape we’re starting to see in possession.” 

If you were paying close attention to Almada last weekend against Philadelphia you might have noticed him playing a more advanced role and forcing Philly No. 6 Jose Martinez to be uncomfortably isolated. It practically looked like Atlanta played with a line of four up top at times. 

Expect that to continue this weekend. Although Cincinnati present a different challenge in their 3-5-2 setup, Atlanta can still cause problems for opponents by forcing them to make tough decisions on Almada. The Five Stripes will try and either get in behind Cincy’s double pivot and put Matt Miazga into difficult spots where he has to decide when and how to step out, or they’ll go out wide with Almada floating into the half spaces to pin Cincy’s wingbacks. 

The Five Stripes look at the setup as 3-4-3 diamond that allows Almada plenty of freedom. Keep an eye in particular on who is forming the three at the back and who the three players at the base of the diamond are. Atlanta’s fullbacks will be making decisions throughout the game that determine the setup. 

But, at a base level, it might look something like this with a focus on overloading the left side and Bartek and inverted Brooks Lennon interchanging at times.