Atlanta United Vs FC Cincinnati: 5 things we learned

Atlanta United Vs FC Cincinnati: 5 things we learned – Time to panic?

ATLANTA, GA MARCH 10: Atlanta goalkeeper Brad Guzan gestures to the referee during the MLS match between FC Cincinnati and Atlanta United FC on March 10th, 2019 at Mercedes Benz Stadium Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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ATLANTA, GA MARCH 10: Atlanta’s Julian Gressel (24) looks to pass the ball into the box during the MLS match between FC Cincinnati and Atlanta United FC on March 10th, 2019 at Mercedes Benz Stadium Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Julian Gressel is back

Atlanta laid an egg in Mexico earlier in the week in their 3-0 loss to Monterrey. Julian Gressel was a large part of that devastating loss, despite not seeing the pitch for a single minute. The 2017 MLS Rookie of the Year picked up an ankle injury on Monday this past week. The knock was enough to keep him out of the Monterrey match, but he found his way back into the starting XI against Cincinnati.

Despite the injury earlier in the week, Gressel looked just fine against Cincinnati. Within the first five minutes he did what he does best: hit a great pass off his right foot to find Josef Martinez in the box for a goal.

Gressel wasn’t nearly as successful the rest of the game. The lack of success was more a result of the way Atlanta approached the game — I will touch on that later. Gressel got out wide a few more times and, after Cincinnati’s equalizer, he sent a few more crosses into the box, but they were all to no avail.

The early assist and full 90 minutes from Gressel is a huge bright spot from an otherwise disappointing evening. Based on how he looked and performed on Sunday evening, he should be ready to go and ready to make an impact this Wednesday night against Monterrey in the return leg.

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