Late goals help lift FC Cincinnati past Atlanta United in regular season opener.

CINCINNATI, OH - Late goals secure win for FC Cincinnati in MLS season opener.

FC Cincinnati lost 2025 MVP finalist Evander to an early injury, forcing Homegrown player Gerardo "Dado" Valenzuela into the match. Valenzuela had three key passes in 76 minutes.

After the match, Nick Hagglund remarked about their MVP finalist's early exit. "Obviously Evander's a big part of what we're doing. We weren't really sure what the extent [of the injury] was until he [Evander] got subbed, but we have full trust in Dado [Valenzuela] - I think Dado had a really great preseason. I think he showed in the O&M game what he can do. We have complete faith in him in his ability as a 10. He came in and did a really good job, and helped move the ball around. He's a special talent. It's great for him and he's going to get opportunities to continue to grow here."

FC Cincinnati broke the deadlock in the 80th minute, with Togolese international forward Kévin Denkey scoring the opener for the Orange and Blue. Samuel Gidi played speedy wingback Ender Echenique through down the right channel, who found Denkey streaking down the middle of the pitch. Denkey dribbled past the Atlanta shotstopper Lucas Hoyos and scored in successive MLS regular season openers. (Denkey scored the lone goal in a 1-0 win against Red Bull New York to start the 2025 MLS Regular Season.)

In the 90th minute, FC Cincinnati doubled their lead through the Cincinnati native Nick Hagglund. Corner kick delivery from offseason signing Bryan Ramirez found the head of Hagglund, who headed it on goal, leaving Hoyos flat-footed.

"I'm on track for 34 goals this year!" joked Hagglund after the match about scoring his token one goal a season. "It's a relief! A relief! I would like to get another, I like the feeling!"

FC Cincinnati closed out the match, winning 2-0 against Atlanta United at TQL Stadium. It's the first time that FC Cincinnati won their MLS regular season opener by more than a single goal. All three times Cincinnati has won their regular season opener in MLS has been at home at TQL Stadium. FC Cincinnati's other two MLS regular season opener wins were a 2-1 vs Houston in 2023, and a 1-0 vs Red Bull New York in 2025.

FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan praised the match as a good start to the season. Noonan stated that Evander had a hamstring injury, but that the initial feedback was "promising". The midfielder will get some scans to determine the severity of the injury.

LINEUPS:

FC Cincinnati (3-4-1-2): 18 Celentano; 4 Hagglund, 12 Robinson (C), 15 Hadebe (3 Flores 71'); 66 Echenique (2 Powell 89'), 11 Gidi, 20 Bucha, 29 Ramirez; 10 Evander (22 Valenzuela 13', 5 Nwobodo 89'); 99 Jabbari (16 Barlow 71'), 9 Denkey

Head Coach: Pat Noonan

Unused Substitutes: 13 Louro (GK), 17 Mboma Dem, 24 Smith, 27 Anunga

Atlanta United FC (4-3-3): 1 Hovos; 2 Hernandez, 4 Mihaj, 6 Berrocal, 3 Baez; 48 Sanchez (8 Muyumba 73'), 55 Jacob, 7 Alzate (20 Brennan 84'); 10 Almiron (C), 9 Latte Lath, 11 Lobjanidze (59 Miranchuk 73')

Head Coach: Tata Martino

Unused Substitutes: 5 Gregersen, 16 Gill, 30 Togashi, 41 Majub, 42 Hibbert (GK), 47 Edwards

STATS (CIN/ATL):

Possession (%): 54/46

xG: 2.25/0.33

Shots: 10/8

Shots on Target: 3/3

Fouls: 10/18

Passes: 399/351

Attendance: 25,513 (Sellout)

stats via SofaScore

SCORING SUMMARY:

80' Kévin Denkey (Assist: Ender Echenique)

90' Nick Hagglund (Assist: Bryan Ramírez)

UP NEXT: Wednesday, February 25 vs O&M FC (CONCACAF Champions Cup)