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Atlanta United Vs FC Cincinnati: 3 things we learned – Hot start continues

By Josh Bouland

NASHVILLE, TN - FEBRUARY 29: Ezequiel Barco #8 of the Atlanta United moves with the ball during second half stoppage time against the Nashville SC at Nissan Stadium on February 29, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. Atlanta defeats Nashville 2-1. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - FEBRUARY 29: Ezequiel Barco #8 of the Atlanta United moves with the ball during second half stoppage time against the Nashville SC at Nissan Stadium on February 29, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. Atlanta defeats Nashville 2-1. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – FEBRUARY 29: Ezequiel Barco #8 of the Atlanta United moves with the ball during second half stoppage time against the Nashville SC at Nissan Stadium on February 29, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. Atlanta defeats Nashville 2-1. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – FEBRUARY 29: Ezequiel Barco #8 of the Atlanta United moves with the ball during second half stoppage time against the Nashville SC at Nissan Stadium on February 29, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. Atlanta defeats Nashville 2-1. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

Atlanta United defeated FC Cincinnati 2-1 on Saturday night in Atlanta. Here are three things we learned as the Five Stripes continue their hot start to 2020.

Atlanta United secured a 2-1 victory in their home opener on Saturday night against visiting FC Cincinnati. Once again Ezequiel Barco and Emerson Hyndman provided Atlanta’s goals, just as they did against Nashville SC just a week earlier. Yaya Kubo scored the lone goal for Cincinnati as the team lost its second game in a row.

Somewhat surprisingly, this is Atlanta United’s best start to a league season. The team amassed three points through their first two games in both 2017 and 2018 and secured just one point through two games in 2019. So far, the Five Stripes have six points thanks to a pair of 2-1 wins. Despite major injuries and a heavily congested start to the season because of the CONCACAF Champions League, Atlanta are building an early cushion in the MLS standings.

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Here are three things learned from Atlanta United’s 2-1 win.

Atlanta United
ATLANTA, GA SEPTEMBER 21: Atlanta’s Emerson Hyndman (16) reacts after scoring the go-ahead goal during the MLS match between the San Jose Earthquakes and Atlanta United FC on September 21st, 2019 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Barco and Hyndman continue good form

For the second week in a row, Atlanta United won 2-1; for the second week in a row, Ezequiel Barco and Emerson Hyndman scored. Barco also assisted Hyndman on the second goal and now has two goals and one assist through the first two games of the MLS season.

After the club announced an ACL tear for star striker Josef Martinez, many began to wonder how the team would replace his improbable goal production. Many assumed Adam Jahn, the team’s back-up striker, would be tasked with attempting to replace Martinez’s scoring. Others expected Gonzalo ‘Pity’ Martinez and Barco to pick up the scoring slack. And while Barco has certainly done so with two goals in as many games, Hyndman’s two goals have come as somewhat of a surprise.

The goal-scoring output from Hyndman and Barco may not be sustainable. Head coach Frank de Boer already stated his desire for the front office to find a new striker for the team before Saturday night’s match, and although he is unlikely to alter his stance, it should be comforting for him and his staff to know that other players are (so far) capable of scoring.

All eyes now turn towards Atlanta’s midweek CCL showdown against Club America at the Estadio Azteca. Expectations for Barco and Pity against America will only increase after a performance like Saturday night’s.

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