How Cincinnati neutered Atlanta United’s attack and stole a point

Atlanta United have had a slow start to the new season under new manager Frank De Boer, having failed to score in their first two games this season. They lost 2-0 in the MLS season opener away to DC United, and then were embarrassed 3-0 in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarter-final to Liga MX side CF Monterrey. After winning the MLS Cup last season under Tata Martino, theyve transitioned to a more deliberate style of play under the former Ajax manager.

As a new expansion side, Cincinnati lost their first ever match of MLS football at Seattle 4-1 but their expected goals against of 2.2 was the sixth best in the league last week. This defensive solidity would come in handy in this match as they looked to slow down one of the most dangerous attacks in MLS last season.

Cincinnati took up a very defensive structure, challenging the Five Stripes to break them down. Atlanta United scored early, with reigning MVP Josef Martinez putting Atlanta ahead in the fifth minute. After this though, Atlanta struggled to create any decent chances while the visitors also struggled to create any attacking threat.

However, with just a one-goal lead, Atlanta were living dangerously and paid for not adding to the scoreline. It only took one mistake, in the 86th minute, for Cincinnati to level the score at 1-1 through Roland Lamah. This allowed Cincinnati to record their first MLS point, and continued a terrible start to the season for the defending champions.

Lineups

Frank De Boer made two changes to the side which had lost 3-0 on the visit to Mexico four days previously. The Dutchman continued with the transition to a 3-4-3, after the success they had enjoyed last season in a 3-5-2 under former Barcelona manager Tata Martino. Jeff Larentowicz and Julian Gressel came back into the side, replacing Mikes Ambrose and Darlington Nagbe, both of whom were available from the bench.

Manager Alan Koch made a couple of changes from the side which had lost 4-1 in their first MLS match. Setting his team up in a fairly defensive 4-4-2, Spencer Richey got the start in goal in place of Polish goalkeeper Przemyslaw Tyton, who was left out of the match day squad altogether as was dealing with a hamstring issue. Corben Brown and Eric Alexander dropped to the bench, to be replaced by Kekuta Manneh and Allan Cruz.

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