CINCINNATI, OHIO, USA — TQL Stadium crackled with anticipation on a night that ultimately belonged to FC Cincinnati, who ground out a composed 2-0 victory over Atlanta United FC in a tightly contested MLS clash. For long stretches it appeared the match might end goalless, but a devastating ten-minute spell late in the second half settled the contest emphatically, with Kévin Denkey and Nick Hagglund delivering the decisive blows to send the home faithful into raptures.
The first half offered little in the way of goals but plenty of tactical intrigue. Atlanta United, arriving with the confidence of a side sitting second in the standings, pushed forward with intent from the opening whistle. Miguel Almirón tested Roman Celentano as early as the 7th minute, his left-footed effort from outside the box drawing a sharp stop from the Cincinnati goalkeeper. That early warning set the tone for what would become a disciplined, attritional contest, with neither side able to carve out a clear advantage before the break.
The second half continued in much the same vein, with Cincinnati gradually asserting themselves through possession — holding 53.9% of the ball across the ninety minutes — while Atlanta's attacking forays grew increasingly disjointed. Almirón remained Atlanta's most dangerous outlet, testing Celentano again in the 61st minute with a low drive that the goalkeeper pushed away in the bottom left corner. It was the Paraguayan's second meaningful attempt of the evening, and both times Cincinnati's last line of defence was equal to the task.
Denkey had already rattled the woodwork in the 56th minute, his right-footed effort from the centre of the box crashing against the right post after a neat exchange with Gerardo Valenzuela. That moment of near-misfortune seemed to galvanise Cincinnati, and the breakthrough finally arrived in the 80th minute. Ender Echenique surged forward on a fast break, threading a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Denkey, who calmly slotted a left-footed finish from the left side of the six-yard box into the centre of the goal. TQL Stadium erupted.
Atlanta pushed desperately for an equaliser, throwing bodies forward and earning a pair of late corners, but Cincinnati's defensive structure — marshalled superbly by Miles Robinson at the back — held firm. Then, deep into stoppage time, the hosts put the result beyond any doubt. Bryan Ramírez whipped a cross into the box following a corner, and Hagglund rose powerfully to nod a header into the top right corner in the 90th minute, sending the crowd into a frenzy and extinguishing any lingering Atlanta hopes.
The statistics painted a picture of a close, competitive encounter that Cincinnati ultimately won through efficiency and resilience. The teams were separated by just two shots — Cincinnati managing 10 to Atlanta's 8 — with both sides registering three shots on target. What made the difference was clinical finishing when it mattered and Celentano's three saves, which proved pivotal in keeping the scoreline level long enough for Cincinnati's late surge. Atlanta's frustration was evident in their foul count, committing 18 fouls to Cincinnati's 10, with Steven Alzate and Tomás Jacob both picking up yellow cards for reckless challenges.
The substitutions also played their part in shaping the outcome. Atlanta's double change in the 73rd minute — bringing on Aleksey Miranchuk and Tristan Muyumba — failed to unlock Cincinnati's backline, while Cincinnati's own tactical adjustments, including the introduction of Tom Barlow and Gilberto Flores in the 71st minute, helped shore up the midfield and maintain the press that eventually led to Denkey's opener.
Confidence will be high when Cincinnati travel to face Universidad O&M on February 25, while Atlanta United must dust themselves off before their trip to face San Jose Earthquakes on February 28.
