FC Cincinnati Prepares for Key Match Against Atlanta United

CINCINNATI, Ohio – FC Cincinnati is gearing up for a pivotal match against Atlanta United FC on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at TQL Stadium. After a month of competitive play, this is the first time the team has enjoyed a full week of preparation. The anticipation is high as Cincinnati aims to solidify its home advantage with a 2:30 p.m. kickoff.

The Orange and Blue, currently undefeated at home this season with a record of 2-0-0, are looking to leverage their rest period for a strong performance. Head Coach Pat Noonan expressed optimism at Thursday’s press conference, stating, “It’s been refreshing for the group. We just wanted them to come back and have a little bit of a compete day. I think it’s been beneficial.”

Noonan further noted the importance of the upcoming match against a formidable opponent like Atlanta, emphasizing how a full week of training will allow the team to fine-tune their tactics. “Having a full week of training is good for us, both mentally and physically,” said defender Lukas Engel. “We can actually work intensively on the next opponent, which is Atlanta this week.”

However, Cincinnati will be missing key players due to the FIFA International Window. Striker Kévin Denkey and forward Stefan Chirila are away on international duty while Teenage Hadebe is in the process of securing his Green Card. “We’re focused on what we can control and how we can prepare with the players available to us,” Noonan commented.

Atlanta United, meanwhile, faces a more significant challenge as eight players will be absent, including Miguel Almiron and Bartosz Slisz. Despite the absences, Noonan believes Atlanta’s strategy will remain consistent. “They’ve been pretty consistent in their play and in their structure through their league games. It will be a good challenge for us,” he said.

Cincinnati has historically performed well against Atlanta United, remaining unbeaten against them under Noonan with a record of 3-0-3 since 2022. The previous encounters were tightly contested, with Cincinnati notably securing a comeback victory last season at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The matchup on Saturday will be Cincinnati’s rare afternoon game, marking only the 11th time the team has hosted a match with a kick-off before 4 p.m. in the MLS era. The team is determined to improve their 2-4-4 record in such time slots.

This match also symbolizes a fresh chapter, as Cincinnati seeks to continue their home dominance and aims for a third consecutive victory of the season. A strong start at home could set the tone for their 2025 campaign, especially after a challenging early schedule that saw them play eight games in 25 days.

As both teams prepare for this highly anticipated showdown, fans can expect a competitive atmosphere at TQL Stadium. Cincinnati fans hope that their team’s depth and tactical acumen will shine through, even in the face of adversity and absent players.