FC Cincinnati Held to Draw by Atlanta United in Dramatic Second Half at TQL Stadium

In front of a lively Saturday afternoon crowd of 23,120 at TQL Stadium, FC Cincinnati and Atlanta United FC battled to a 2-2 draw in a match that underscored both teams’ potential and vulnerabilities early in the 2025 MLS season. All four goals came in a wild second half, with Evander’s quickfire brace momentarily flipping the game before a late own goal from Alvas Powell spoiled what could’ve been a gritty comeback win for the Orange and Blue.

Points Shared in a Back-and-Forth Second Half

While the first 45 minutes lacked a finishing touch from either side, the second half more than made up for it. Atlanta’s Emmanuel Latte Lath broke the deadlock in the 50th minute, capitalizing on a quick throw-in that caught Cincinnati’s defense off balance. Saba Lobjanidze created the opportunity with a decisive run and delivery, setting up Latte Lath to hammer home his second goal of the season.

But the match came to life with the introduction of FC Cincinnati’s midfield maestro, Evander. Already known for his creativity and composure on the ball, the Brazilian took center stage once again. In the 70th minute, Evander earned and converted a free kick that took a crucial deflection off the Atlanta wall, wrong-footing veteran keeper Brad Guzan.

Just five minutes later, Cincinnati turned defense into attack with fluidity and pace. A bouncing ball in midfield was claimed by Pavel Bucha, who surged forward and threaded a perfectly weighted pass into Evander’s path. Despite the attention of two defenders, Evander kept his balance and slotted home to give the home side a 2-1 lead—his third multi-goal MLS game.

However, Atlanta’s persistence paid off late. In the 88th minute, a driven cross from the right side led to a moment of misfortune for Cincinnati, as Alvas Powell inadvertently redirected the ball into his own net under pressure. The own goal deflated the crowd and denied the hosts three points, leaving both teams with mixed feelings heading into their next fixtures.

Takeaways: Positives and Pain Points for Pat Noonan’s Side

While the result wasn’t ideal, there were encouraging signs for FC Cincinnati.

First and foremost, Evander’s continued influence cannot be overstated. His attacking flair, set-piece threat, and composure under pressure have made him one of the most important players in the squad. He now leads the team in goals this season and looks every bit the difference-maker Cincinnati hoped he would be when they brought him in from Portland.

The game also marked the return of longtime defender Nick Hagglund, who made his first regular-season appearance since suffering an injury last June. Hagglund’s presence brings much-needed experience and leadership to the back line, even though he played only the first half.

Another positive development was the debut of Brad Smith, the Australian wingback who replaced Sergio Santos in the 61st minute. Smith, a former MLS Cup winner with Seattle Sounders, looked sharp in limited action and could become a key contributor as he builds match fitness.

Yet, for all the positives, the late-game lapse is a lingering concern. It wasn’t the first time FC Cincinnati have conceded late in matches, and the defensive miscommunication that led to Powell’s own goal reflects ongoing organizational issues in the final third of games. Head Coach Pat Noonan will need to address these mental lapses if the Orange and Blue hope to solidify themselves as playoff contenders.

Statistical Snapshot

Despite the draw, Cincinnati held the edge in several key metrics:

• Possession: 54.8% to Atlanta’s 45.2%
• Shots on Target: 7 to 4
• Total Shots: 14 to 12

However, the stat that mattered most—goals—remained even.

What’s Next?

The draw places FC Cincinnati (2-2-1, 7 points) in eighth place in the Eastern Conference, while Atlanta United (1-2-2, 5 points) sit just outside the playoff line in 11th. Cincinnati remains unbeaten against Atlanta under Pat Noonan (3 wins, 4 draws), but the late collapse will sting given how close the club came to a win.

FC Cincinnati will now look ahead to a road trip next Saturday, March 29, where they’ll face Nashville SC at GEODIS Park. With Nashville always a tough opponent at home, Noonan will hope his squad can carry the momentum of Evander’s form while tightening up defensively to close out matches.

Final Thoughts

This matchup was a microcosm of early-season MLS action—raw, unpredictable, and entertaining. For Cincinnati, the pieces are clearly there: a dynamic midfield, depth on the flanks, and a returning veteran presence in defense. But as with many clubs in March, they’re still ironing out the wrinkles. If they can figure out how to finish games as strong as they start them, FC Cincinnati could be a dangerous team come summer.

Atlanta, meanwhile, showed resilience and attacking promise of their own. Ronny Deila’s squad may have only one win thus far, but with creative players like Lobjanidze and Latte Lath, they’ll cause plenty of problems for opponents this season—especially if they can limit defensive errors and manage games better.

For now, both teams walk away with a point—and plenty to think about.