FC Cincinnati took some chances in its lineup construction for a crucial road game Oct. 10. And they paid off in a 3-1 win at Atlanta United FC in Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Cincinnati scored twice late in the second half to notch just its second road win in Major League Soccer play, first since May 2. It was the team’s first win overall in seven games since Aug. 19.
Tom Barlow had a goal and two assists to take part in all three goal contributions. Kevin Denkey scored a brace.
“It feels good,” Barlow said. “It’s been a long time since we’ve won on the road, so it feels nice. Tough place to win.”
Major League Soccer standings update
Cincinnati (9-9-9) moves into ninth place in the MLS Eastern Conference with 36 points. They are tied with Red Bull New York, which has the tiebreaker.
Orlando beat Columbus and has 37. New York City lost at Chicago and dropped to 10th place with 33 points. Toronto beat Montreal and now has 32.
Losses by Columbus (29) and D.C. United (30) give Cincinnati a little more breathing room as they fight for a playoff berth.
“It’s nice to have this feeling,” said FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan. “It comes at a very important time and hopefully a win that can help propel us to a good stretch. I’m pleased for the guys and it was a stronger performance than we’ve seen recently.”
Tom Barlow and Kevin Denkey score late
Tied 1-1, Tom Barlow scored in the 84th minute for Cincinnati to give them a 2-1 lead. Kyle Smith found him with a pass in the goal box, and Barlow beat Lucas Hoyos with the ball rocketing off the bottom of the crossbar and landing behind the goal line.
The goal was checked in video review for Barlow being offside and TV announcers thought he was, but the goal was confirmed. It was Barlow’s career-high eighth goal of the season.
Denkey scored his second goal of the game in stoppage time. Cincinnati ran in transition and Ender Echenique found Denkey on the run. Denkey delivered a one-timer past Hoyos. His brace gives him 16 goals in MLS play. Barlow was given a secondary assist on the sequence, giving him a goal contribution for all three goals on the night.
FC Cincinnati made some bold lineup changes
Evan Louro started in goal for Cincinnati for only the third time in MLS play this season. Louro started against Montreal and Red Bull New York early in the season when Roman Celentano was injured. He had started all three Cincinnati Leagues Cup games in August, as well as one contest in the Concacaf Champions Cup.
Celentano has been the starter when healthy for all five seasons of Noonan's tenure.
“It’s a tough decision,” Noonan said. “Roman has been consistently steady for us for four years. In this moment, it felt like a good opportunity for Evan. We look at it the same way we do with field players, but with a goalkeeper it gets more attention. Roman handled it very professionally like he always does, he helped Evan, and Evan performed.”
New players Tyrell Malacia and David Doudera started on the wings. Malacia, the former Manchester United star, made his first appearance for Cincinnati and Doudera his second.
Without Evander, who missed the game with a minor injury taken in the team’s last game, both newcomers took the corner kicks when they were in the game, Malacia from Cincinnati’s right side and Doudera from the left.
“I thought for Tyrell getting his first start, you could see the level he’s capable of,” Noonan said. “Understanding and anticipating plays, how he moves off the ball to create advantages. He finds himself in really good positions and defensively he did a good job as well.
“David, I thought his defensive positioning was good. Rushed a few of the attacking opportunities, but the energy and confidence he instills in others is meaningful. He’s not afraid to lead and guide the guys. He directs certain moments because he has good game understanding as well.”
Ender Echenique came in for Doudera in the 60th minute. Doudera helped set up Cincinnati’s first goal of the game.
Pavel Bucha started in Evander’s spot at attacking midfielder.
Center back Julian Malatini made his Cincinnati debut in the 72nd minute, replacing Miles Robinson in the back line. Noonan praised his play at winning duels in the goal box.
Teenage Hadebe and Kyle Smith drew the starts in the back with Robinson. Noonan was pleased with their play.
“We defended the box much better. The group looked more connected on that side of the ball,” Noonan said. “There were moments that Atlanta was pressing us well and we had trouble finding solutions. In those moments, Kevin and Tom were outstanding in their connections, getting us up the field. Our three midfielders moved in a good way. We were able to do a good job with second balls and find success.”
Kevin Denkey gave Cincinnati a 1-0 lead
Kevin Denkey scored his 15th goal of the season on a great sequence in the 52nd minute.
Doudera lofted a long ball from midfield perfectly to the head of Tom Barlow. He headed it forward to Denkey, who did well to control the ball into the goal box, maneuver around Enea Mihal, who had fallen, and deposit it past goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos. Barlow and Doudera were given assists on the play.
At halftime, Cincinnati had only four shots, zero on goal, withan expected-goal mark of 0.7. Atlanta had seven shots, three on goal, with an XG of 1.0.
For the game, Cincinnati had 13 shots, four on target with an XG of 2.9. Atlanta had 16 shots, six on target, but an XG of only 1.5, 0.5 additional in the second half.
“I thought we did a good job staying in our shape defensively. We knew our chances would come,” Barlow said. “We do a good job of not pressing if the shots don’t go in. We just keep pushing.”
What’s next for FC Cincinnati
Cincinnati will play six games in three weeks following Saturday's game, starting with New England Revolution coming to TQL Stadium 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Barlow's goal, two assists give FC Cincinnati 3-1 win in Atlanta
