FC Cincinnati’s 2-1 win at Atlanta United FC on August 30 was just is second win in 11 all-time meetings with the Atlanta United FC Five Stripes (D4 L5). Atlanta United FC has never lost in Cincinnati, earning two wins and two draws in four all-time visits.
FC Cincinnati has 68 points this season after earning just 20 in the 2021 season. The 48-point increase is the largest over a two-year span in MLS history, head of D. C. United’s 36-point bounce from 2010 (22) to 2012 (58, with 4 extra games played) excluding differences from the shortened 2020 season.
Atlanta United FC has managed only four wins in 33 away matches in all competitions dating back to early April (D12 L17). Only one of Atlanta United FC’s last four away matches have ended in defeat, earning a win and two draws before losing to the Philadelphia Union on October 4.
Luciano Acosta enters the final matchday of the season leading MLS in goal contributions with 29 (16 goals, 13 assists), one ahead of Thiago Almada’s 28. With two assists on the final day, Acosta would become just the fifth player in MLS history to record 15 goals and 15 assists in a single season.
Thiago Almada’s assist on Miles Robinson’s stoppage-time equalizer on October 7was his 17th of the season, two more than any other MLS player in 2023. Fifteen of those 17 assists have been primary assists, as the only player with more in a s ingle season since 2010 is Sacha Kljestan (16) in 2016.
