Each match is a measuring stick for FC Cincinnati in 2022 and it has measured up to the opposition more often than not, but New York City FC will be the toughest challenge yet.
With FC Cincinnati having already achieved its most successful season in Major League Soccer by several measures, the club marks the halfway point in 2022 with a game against reigning MLS Cup champion NYCFC, which also is undefeated (6-0-0) all-time against Cincinnati.
Cincinnati's made its collective living this season by defying critics and opponents that have traditionally dominated FCC.
Wednesday's contest against NYCFC at TQL Stadium (7:30 p.m.) will be the most convincing act of defiance yet if Cincinnati can secure a point against second-place New York.
Recent results, such as those this month against Eastern Conference-leading Philadelphia Union and fourth-place Orlando City SC, suggest FC Cincinnati is in the mood for a game with NYCFC, which would be a welcome change in an all-time series where the score line is a lopsided 22-5 in favor of the club some refer to as "the Pigeons."
"I think so. We've shown we can beat good teams in this league and our last two opponents have been two of the better teams throughout the course of this year," FCC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan said during a Monday interview. "To get four points out of those two games, certainly we're pleased with, but hopefully it's the right confidence boost at the right time to face one of the best teams in the league."
FC Cincinnati dropped back-to-back matches entering the weeks-long June international break. Upon returning to play, the club earned a come-from-behind road draw against Philadelphia, and used smothering defending and Brenner Souza da Silva's first tally of the year to beat Orlando for the second time this season.
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NYCFC is winless in June, and hasn't won a game since May 28 against Minnesota United FC. Ronny Deila, the head coach who led the club to MLS Cup glory last year, left the club in mid-June to takeover Belgian first-division side Standard Liège.
Since Deila left, NYCFC is winless in all competitions, and lost Sunday late in second-half stoppage time to Philadelphia on a shot that was redirected on its way toward goalkeeper Sean Johnson.
New York still feature Valentin "Taty" Castellanos, last season's top scorer in MLS and a scorer of eight goals this campaign.
With Johnson directing the defensive line, NYCFC's conceded just 13 goals – second in MLS only to Philadelphia's 12 goals.
“Just the quality with the ball from the goalkeeper all the way to Castellanos up top," Noonan said of NYCFC. "A team that, I think, collectively they work really well together on both sides of the ball, but the individual talent and players that can break you down one-versus-one, that’s where it becomes very important to be really keyed in on those one-versus-one matchups and winning those battles to not allow the game to open up because they have players that can do just that. Their individual quality with the ball is certainly a threat.
The Game
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday | TQL Stadium, Cincinnati
TV/Radio/Stream: WSTR Star64 / ESPN1530 / fccincinnati.com
Series info: FC Cincinnati trails in the all-time series having lost all six previous meetings with NYCFC (0-6-0).
Cincinnati.com prediction: FC Cincinnati 1, NYCFC 1.
FC Cincinnati
2022 record: 7-7-2; seventh place in MLS Eastern Conference
Goals for: 23
Goals against: 26
Coach: Pat Noonan - first season at FC Cincinnati
Projected starting lineup:
Roman Celentano, goalkeeper
Ray Gaddis, right back
Tyler Blackett, center back
Geoff Cameron, center back
John Nelson, left back
Obinna Nwobodo, midfielder
Haris Medunjanin, midfielder
Luciano Acosta, midfielder
Brandon Vazquez, forward
Brenner Souza da Silva, forward
Alvaro Barreal, forward
New York City FC
2022 record: 8-4-3; 27 points, second place in Eastern Conference
Goals for: 27
Goals against: 13
Coach: Nick Cushing (interim head coach as of June 13 after departure of Ronny Deila).
Projected starting lineup:
Sean Johnson, goalkeeper
Tayvon Gray, defender
Maxime Chanot, defender
Alexander Callens, defender
Chris Gloster, defender
Alfredo Morales, midfielder
Nicolás Acevedo, midfielder
Santiago Rodríguez, midfielder/forward
Maxi Moralez, forward
Maximiliano Moralez, forward
Valentín "Taty" Castellanos
Noteworthy: FC Cincinnati will again be without the services of forward Dominique Badji and defensive midfielder Junior Moreno, according to Noonan. During his pre-match interview with local media members on Monday, Noonan stated that Moreno suffered a setback in attempting to work his way back into the lineup from a leg injury. Badji, Noonan said, will require require a few more weeks for his leg injury.
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