CINCINNATI, Ohio — Evander scored twice for Cincinnati and Atlanta benefited from the opposition's own goal as the teams played to a 2-2 draw on Saturday.
All four goals highlighted an exciting second half as Latte Lath scored his fourth goal of the season and FC Cincinnati conceded a late own goal despite Evander netting a brace as both sides split the points. Homegrown Will Reilly also made his first career MLS start.
Atlanta United nearly opened the scoring shortly after the opening kick. Alexey Miranchuk took a shot from just inside the box that rattled off the bar in the fourth minute. After a clearance, Atlanta quickly countered with Saba Lobjanidze working back inside the box, but his shot attempt was blocked.
Brad Guzan kept the match scoreless with a pair of crucial first half saves, the first coming in the seventh minute off a free kick from the left wing. Evander swung a quick ball in that center back Nick Hagglund headed toward goal, but Guzan was able to get his left hand to it. Ten minutes later, Guzan again thwarted a Cincinnati free kick, this time from the right wing. Luca Orellano swung a ball in toward the near post, but the Atlanta captain was there to parry it away from danger.
Atlanta again nearly broke the deadlock in 35th minute off a quick counterattack. Miranchuk started the play by playing Reilly into space near midfield. The rookie then sprung Lobjanidze free up the right wing where he dribbled toward the end line before crossing back toward goal. Tristan Muyumba redirected it on goal, but the ball appeared to deflect off Latte Lath before it would cross the goal line. Minutes later, Muyumba had to be stretchered off after a right knee injury and was replaced by Cayman Togashi.
Togashi's impact was immediate after halftime to help give Atlanta the lead. In the 50th, after Cincinnati put a halt to an Atlanta counterattack, Togashi took a quick throw-in and played Lobjanidze free up the right wing. After dribbling into the box, Lobjanidze crossed for Latte Lath and the striker re-directed it with a left-footed shot toward the far post to beat Roman Celentano.
Atlanta nearly doubled its lead in the 59th minute. Lobjanidze made a remarkable run through midfield before getting near the edge of the box. He then dribbled to his left and unleashed a left-footed shot that forced a diving save from Celentano. The goalkeeper barely got his right hand to the shot attempt and enough to re-direct the ball off the upright and away to safety.
FC Cincinnati took advantage, though, and leveled the game in the 70th minute off a free kick from about 25 yards out. Evander's attempt ricocheted off Atlanta's wall and in the opposite direction of Guzan, landing softly inside the goal.
Evander then put Cincinnati ahead just six minutes later. Off a broken play in Atlanta's end, Pavel Bucha corralled the ball and dribbled into Atlanta's box before finding Evander in the center of the pitch, where the midfielder slotted home for a 2-1 lead.
Atlanta pushed for an equalizer and found it in the 88th minute after a quick build up. Playing center back as a substitute, Ronald Hernandez dribbled forward uncontested into midfield and found Miranchuk in the center of the pitch where he freely turned into space and played Lopbjanidze forward down the right wing. Lobjanidze sent a cross aimed for back post where Latte Lath made a run, but Alvas Powell lunged to cut the ball off and tapped it into Cincinnati's net at the near post to level the match.
Atlanta United (1-2-2, 5 points) returns to action on Saturday, March 29 playing hosts to New York City FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
