Cover Photo: Ryan Fleming
MLS Matchday 38 Information
- Who: s – FC Cincinnati (20-5-8, 68 points) vs x – Atlanta United (13-9-11, 50 points)
- When: Saturday, October 21, 2023 – 6:00 PM EST
- Where: TQL Stadium – Cincinnati, OH, USA
- How To Watch: Apple TV – MLS Season Pass
2023 Matchup
- August 30, 2023: Atlanta United 1 (Mosquera 10′) – FC Cincinnati 2 (Acosta 75′, Vazquez 80′)
FC Cincinnati vs Atlanta United
FC Cincinnati played in Atlanta just 8 matches ago on August 30th. Since then, there’s been 2 international breaks and FC Cincinnati won a shield. It’s felt like a lot of time in between those two matches.
When asked about the takeaways from that 2-1 win, Pat Noonan stated that it’s a match he plans on looking back at. “I thought our chance creation on the road against a strong team was good.” Noonan stated on Thursday. “How we got there, I didn’t particularly love.”
“The game got too open… sure, we had some good moments with our numbers Eto attack, but I think it left us a little bit vulnerable in transition, and we had to rely on guys defending in isolation too often – and they’re [Atlanta] very good with, the entirety of their group really, to attack from wide areas. Obviously, with [Thiago] Almada centrally. So, we need to be more connected.”
Pat Noonan
Players to keep an eye out for on Atlanta United:
- Greek International forward Georgios Giakoumakis has 15 goals in just 1715 minutes this season. That’s second best by any player in MLS in terms of Goals per 90, and the first place player, Austin FC’s Will Bruin, only has 3 goals.
- World Cup Winner Thiago Almada is second in MLS with 28 goal contributions, only behind FC Cincinnati’s Argentine Luciano Acosta. His 17 assists leads all of MLS, and he also leads MLS with Goals from outside the 18 yard penalty box with 6. Almada is one of MLS’ best free kick takers, with 3 direct free kick goals on the season.
- Atlanta United’s Georgian International winger Saba Lobjanidze (or Lobzhanidze, both seem to be used) has 6 goal contributions (3 goals, 3 assists) in his first 8 MLS matches.
So… who does FCC Play in the Playoffs?
Big scoreboard watcher? All Eastern Conference teams (except DC United, who don’t play due to the league having an odd number of clubs) will kick off at 6PM EST for the annual MLS Decision Day. While Cincinnati (and their opponents on Saturday, Atlanta United) don’t have anything to “play for”, there are 5 teams in the Eastern Conference playing for the two play-in spots (8 and 9 seed). Here’s the playoff clinching scenarios for each of those clubs.
(Playoff Scenarios Credits: MLS)
CF Montreal (12-16-5, 41 points)
Montreal have the easiest path, leading the rest of the pack with 41 points. A win, naturally, guarantees playoffs. Here’s the full list:
- CF Montreal WIN at Columbus Crew OR
- Chicago Fire FC LOSS/DRAW at New York City FC AND Charlotte FC LOSS/DRAW vs Inter Miami CF OR
- Chicago Fire FC LOSS/DRAW at New York City FC AND New York Red Bulls LOSS/DRAW at Nashville SC OR
- Charlotte FC LOSS/DRAW vs Inter Miami CF AND New York Red Bulls LOSS/DRAW at Nashville SC
New York Red Bulls (10-13-10, 40 points)
FC Cincinnati’s first ever playoff match was against the New York Red Bulls, a match they won 2-1 thanks to a Luciano Acosta PK and a Brandon Vazquez goal. Here’s their list of ways to make MLS Cup Playoffs:
- New York Red Bulls WIN at Nashville SC AND CF Montreal LOSS/DRAW at Columbus Crew OR
- New York Red Bulls WIN at Nashville SC AND Chicago Fire FC LOSS/DRAW at New York City FC OR
- New York Red Bulls WIN at Nashville SC AND New York Red Bulls advantage in tiebreakers over Chicago Fire FC OR
- New York Red Bulls DRAW at Nashville SC AND Chicago Fire FC LOSS/DRAW at New York City FC AND Charlotte FC LOSS/DRAW vs Inter Miami CF
Chicago Fire FC (10-13-10, 40 points)
Chicago Fire FC can clinch a MLS Cup Playoff berth with:
- Chicago Fire FC WIN at New York City FC AND CF Montreal LOSS/DRAW at Columbus Crew OR
- Chicago Fire FC WIN at New York City FC AND New York Red Bulls LOSS/DRAW at Nashville SC OR
- Chicago Fire FC WIN at New York City FC AND Chicago Fire FC advantage in tiebreakers over New York Red Bulls OR
- Chicago Fire FC DRAW at New York City FC AND New York Red Bulls LOSS/DRAW at Nashville SC AND Charlotte FC LOSS/DRAW vs Inter Miami CF
Charlotte FC (9-11-13, 40 points)
Charlotte FC, the sophomores of MLS, can clinch their first MLS playoff berth in club history with:
- Charlotte FC WIN vs Inter Miami CF AND CF Montreal LOSS/DRAW at Columbus Crew AND Chicago Fire FC LOSS/DRAW at New York City FC OR
- Charlotte FC WIN vs Inter Miami CF AND CF Montreal LOSS/DRAW at Columbus Crew AND New York Red Bulls LOSS/DRAW at Nashville SC OR
- Charlotte FC WIN vs Inter Miami CF AND Chicago Fire FC LOSS/DRAW at New York City FC AND New York Red Bulls LOSS/DRAW at Nashville SC
New York City Football Club (8-11-14, 38 points)
NYCFC need a lot to go their way, with only one scenario featuring them inside the top 9 of the Eastern Conference:
- New York City FC WIN vs Chicago Fire FC AND New York Red Bulls LOSS at Nashville SC AND Charlotte FC LOSS/DRAW at Inter Miami CF
October International Break
Some FC Cincinnati players represented their national teams this past international break! Here’s a very brief breakdown of their performances:
Junior Moreno (Venezuela) – Moreno appeared in both of Venezuela’s CONMEBOL World Cup Qualification matches over the break. First, Venezuela drew 1-1 against Brazil, a match where Moreno subbed on in the 67th minute before a 85th minute Eduard Bello bicycle kick drew Venezuela even. Brazil had a 15-game winning streak at home prior to their draw against Venezuelan on Thursday.
Venezuela followed up that performance with a 3-0 win at home against Chile. Once again, Moreno featured off the bench, coming on in the 65th minute for Philadelphia Union’s Jose Martinez. Venezuela scored their second and third goals of that match after the introduction of Moreno, in the 72nd and 79th minute of Tuesday’s match.
Venezuela earned 4 out of 6 potential points, and sit 4th in the CONMEBOL World Cup Qualification table only behind World Champion Argentina, along with South American giants Uruguay and Brazil.
Santiago Arias (Colombia) – Arias started in Colombia’s first CONMEBOL World Cup Qualification match against Uruguay. Arias assisted the lone goal of the first half, a finish by firmer Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez. He came off in the 90th minute for FC Cincinnati teammate Yerson Mosquera after Colombia’s GK Camilo Vargas conceded a penalty and was issued a red card.
Santi Arias did not rejoin the national team after the Uruguay match, reportedly after picking up a small injury. As of Thursday morning (10/19/23), Arias had some tests done and Pat Noonan has stated that his injury is not of the season ending type.
Yerson Mosquera (Colombia) – Mosquera got his first cap against Uruguay when he subbed in for Arias on Thursday. His real contributions to the national team began the following match, as Colombia plugged Mosquera into the Starting XI as they played Ecuador. After picking up an early yellow card in the 9th minute, the 22 year old center back helped Colombia keep the clean sheet against a Ecuador side that had only been shut out once since the start of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Mosquera was subbed off in the 86th minute, as the match ended in a 0-0 draw.
Aaron Boupendza (Gabon) – Boupendza and Gabon failed to qualify for AFCON, so Gabon played a friendly against Guinea in Portugal on Tuesday. Boupendza scored in the 62nd minute from the penalty spot, as Gabon went on to draw Guinea 1-1. Boupendza played the full 90 minutes.
Contract Extensions
FC Cincinnati signed long-term contract extensions for Head Coach Pat Noonan and general manager Chris Albright after their roles in the turnaround with FC Cincinnati since joining after the 2021 season.
Check out Area Sports Network on Instagram & Twitter and Subscribe to our YouTube Channel. We hit 1k subscribers and look to continue to grow the channel. Stay tuned for more content going forward!
