MLS:MLS Season Opener Preview: Atlanta United vs. FC Cincinnati

Jonathan Turner
2 hours ago
5 min read

NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com

FC Cincinnati (Home) vs. Atlanta United

Date: February 21, 2026; 4:45pm EST

Venue: TQL Stadium (26,000 Capacity)

Tickets: https://www.fccincinnati.com/tickets/

How to Watch: Apple TV, FOX

After a disappointing 2025 season, Atlanta United kick off MLS action determined to rise to their former league giant status with the return of MLS Cup champion head coach Tata Martino. A busy offseason saw the Five Stripes add young prospects and veteran depth to compliment the existing core of Designated Players Miguel Almiron, Alexey Miranchuk, and Emmanuel Latte Lath. With playoff expectations, their first task is to win on the road against Supporters Shield runner-ups FC Cincinnati, who had a disappointing season in 2025 not due to poor performance but rather the failure to win silverware.

Joining me for this recap is a writer for Cincy Soccer Talk and a fellow member of the North American Soccer Reporters, Gracin Galbreath, to give a better perspective on FC Cincinnati’s offseason and expectations heading into the match.

Offseason Review:

Atlanta United -

The Five Stripes’ biggest signing in a less splashier offseason than years past was the U22 signing of Tomas Jacob from Necaxa for a fee around $5 million. An extremely efficient tackler and trustworthy in possession, he will be an extremely important factor in Atlanta’s success with flexibility as a defensive midfielder, right back, or center back. We will discuss more about his tactical fit in the projected lineup section of the article.

Two other signings caught headlines, with the club bringing in young left back Elias Baez for $3 million from San Lorenzo, expected to challenge Pedro Amador for the starting job. Atlanta also signed 36-year old goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos on a free transfer from Newell’s Old Boys, whose commanding presence and veteran leadership may earn him the starting job over Jayden Hibbert. The offseason was rounded up with midfield prospect Adrian Gill from FC Barcelona, MLS journeyman winger Fafa Picault from Inter Miami, and backup forward Sergio Santos from FC Cincinnati adding needed depth.

FC Cincinnati -

FC Cincinnati had a relatively quiet offseason. For most other clubs, that would be underwhelming, but this was more so about keeping the talent they already had together. The only starter who departed was Luca Orellano, who no longer fit a team that needed a wing-back who was willing to be playmaker. They signed someone for that role in Bryan Ramirez. Other than that, there were the usual additions of depth players where needed, at striker and wing-back. Those were to replace the subs who left the club, notably club legend Yuya Kubo and Sergio Santos who had been a backup striker for multiple seasons.

All-Time Record:

Atlanta United (26 Goals For) 6-6-4 (18 Goals For) FC Cincinnati

United were 5-4-1 in all matchups through 2022, with their only loss coming in the MLS is Back Tournament. Since then, the Orange and Blue have been dominant, picking up 11 of the last possible 18 points. Last year was surprisingly good for Atlanta, with a 4-2 win at home for their first victory in the series since 2021 and a 2-2 draw away. They have still not picked up 3 points away at Cincinnati since 2021 and only twice all time.

The top two leading goalscorers in the series, Josef Martinez and Lucho Acosta, no longer play for the clubs. Cincinnati’s Evander leads current players with 2 goals scored.

Injury Report:

Atlanta United

OUT - Dominik Chong Qui, Ajani Fortune, Will Reilly

FC Cincinnati

OUT - Kristian Fletcher

Projected Lineups:

Atlanta United -

(Atlanta lineup photo with 4-1-2-3 formation)

The announced lineup will read as a 4-4-3. Almiron and Miranchuk will play as inside forwards on the left and right (Tata Martino said they’d be on the left and right respectively during the preseason) who can drift into open space, Berrocal and Mihaj will lead the backline after getting the nod during preseason, and I predict Hoyos will have earned Martino’s favor as starting goalkeeper over Jayden Hibbert.

Tomas Jacob will appear as a single-pivot 6 like he did in the preseason. I am intrigued what Tata Martino will do when Baez arrives, as he and Jacob are famously reserved defensive fullbacks. I bring this up because of the lineup below, showing Atlanta’s setup in the attack based on preseason tactics.

(Atlanta Lineup Photo with 3-2-4-1 formation)

Tata is happy for Hernandez and Amador to push up high and support the DP’s through overlaps when Jacob/the 6 drops and joins the centerbacks. If other players are on the pitch that like to drift wide, like winger Luke Brennan, Amador and others can take the space Almiron and Miranchuk fill in the central attacking midfield. Will Baez and Jacob do that as fullbacks? I’m unsure, but we’ll see how Tata’s tactics appear on the field for the first few games and how he uses Jacob’s positional versatility before making assumptions.

FC Cincinnati -

The starting lineup is almost full-strength, which is huge for a club that has had injury woes in huge areas for multiple seasons now. Jabbari will be the probable pair with Denkey after his hot start. Ramirez and Echenique as wing-backs will create more space in the middle of the pitch for Evander and Denkey—which was a huge woe for Cincinnati. Bucha being paired with Gidi will make the double pivot less challenged with the ball. The back three is solid; Hagglund will likely start in place of a recovering Miazga, with Robinson and Hadebe next to him. Celentano is unchallenged in between the sticks.

Score Predictions:

Calum - Atlanta have not gotten a win away in 5 years against Cincinnati, and it’s hard to predict that will change when Tata Martino lost both opening matches in his first stint as Atlanta United head coach. However, I do not think this team will perform poorly enough to lose after a strong preseason. They should gain a solid point against a Supporters Shield contender with goals from Latte Lath and Miranchuk in a 2-2 draw.

Gracin - FC Cincinnati has a favorable record at home ever since Pat Noonan has been at the helm. I would be amiss not to pick them to win in their home opener. I still can’t ignore how much of a challenge this Atlanta team may be with multiple game changers under an aggressive coach like Tata. I see the Orange and Blue taking all three points in a close match, by a score of 2-1.