The 2026 MLS season kicked off with a heavyweight clash at TQL Stadium on Saturday, February 21, but it was the home fans who left celebrating. Despite a high-stakes return for legendary manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino, Atlanta United fell 2-0 to a clinical FC Cincinnati side that proved why they are perennial Eastern Conference contenders.
The match served as a homecoming for Martino, the man who led Atlanta to their 2018 MLS Cup glory. After stints with the Mexican National Team and Inter Miami (where he managed Lionel Messi), Martino’s return to the 5-Stripes was the biggest storyline of the weekend. However, Cincinnati’s defensive resilience and late-game heroics ensured the “King of the South” would have to wait for his first win of the second era.
The Denkey Difference: Breaking the Deadlock
For 80 minutes, the match remained a tactical stalemate. Atlanta controlled large portions of the ball, but they struggled to find a way past Cincinnati’s Roman Celentano, who recorded a clean sheet.
The breakthrough finally came from Kévin Denkey, who is rapidly becoming one of the league’s most feared strikers. In the 80th minute, Denkey received a pinpoint assist from Ender Echenique, showed ice-cold composure to fake out goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos, and slotted a left-footed finish between two scrambling defenders.
“It was a clinical moment from a world-class player,” Martino noted post-match. “We controlled the tempo, but in this league, if you don’t punish teams in the final third, they will punish you.”
Hagglund’s Redemption: Sealing the Three Points
While Denkey provided the flash, it was a moment of emotional redemption for Nick Hagglund that sealed the victory. In the 90th minute, Hagglund rose highest to meet a Bryan Ramirez corner, powering a header into the back of the net to make it 2-0.
For Hagglund, the goal was poetic. Just last May, the defender suffered a horrific injury against Atlanta—two broken ribs and a collapsed lung—that sidelined him for months. Scoring the insurance goal against the same opponent on opening day brought the sellout crowd of 25,513 to their feet.
Alt-text: FC Cincinnati defender Nick Hagglund celebrating a goal in front of the home supporters at TQL Stadium.
Early Injury Woes: Evander Sidelined
The win was not without its costs for the Orange and Blue. Just 13 minutes into the contest, 2025 MVP finalist Evander went down with a non-contact injury while holding his right knee. The Brazilian playmaker was forced to sub out for Gerardo Valenzuela. While Cincinnati managed to pull off the win without their star man, all eyes will be on the medical reports this week as the club juggles MLS play and their Concacaf Champions Cup commitments.
What This Means: Next Steps for both Clubs
For Atlanta United, the 2-0 loss is a reality check. Martino’s new-look squad—featuring debutants Tomás Jacob and Cooper Sanchez—showed glimpses of the “Tata style” but lacked the finishing touch. The absence of injured players like Dominik Chong Qui and Jay Fortune was felt in the depth rotations.
Next Steps:
- Atlanta United: The 5-Stripes head West to face the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, Feb. 28. Martino will be looking to iron out the offensive kinks before their home opener on March 7.
- FC Cincinnati: The club has a quick turnaround, hosting O&M FC on Wednesday, Feb. 25, in the second leg of the Champions Cup. They currently hold a 4-0 aggregate lead.
Was the 2-0 result a fair reflection of the match, or did Atlanta’s missed chances cost them a point? Share your thoughts in the comments below or join the conversation on social media with #CINvATL!
Author: Quique Lopez
Quique Lopez doesn’t just cover soccer—he deconstructs it with the precision of a veteran and the wit of a storyteller. A former player who sees the pitch as both a tactical chessboard and a cultural stage, Quique balances sharp critiques with a genuine love for the game’s soul. He’s as quick to call out the ego of a superstar as he is to find the hidden beauty in a local derby.