FC Cincinnati return to the TQL Stadium this Saturday (31), under pressure because the team has played irregularly in the last rounds of MLS. Allowing a 3-3 draw with FC Dallas during the week, while on top, Pat Noonan's team urgently needs to react.
Orange and Blue's 30 points have them in second place in the East Conference, trailing the Philadelphia Union by three points, but can no longer drop points on their own turf. DC United, in contrast, finds itself far outside the playoffs in the 13th spot and seeks to break its slump with a win on the road. Both are at different junctures but enter under the gun for past gaffes.
Prohibitively costly
Cincinnati has lost the last two rounds through critical mistakes. They had the game under their hands in the match with Dallas up until the final minute and lost it on a set play. They were also leading at halftime in the last match and lost the comeback. That's four points lost in matches, the only two this year in which the team has blown a half-lead in 2025. The defense, up to a point one of the league's most miserly units, for the first time since last October yielded three goals. At their own stadium, the team had allowed a combined total of five goals for the whole season up to the last round.
Now they must end their streak of being winless at home this season for the first time in 2024. It was the last time it occurred. Coach Pat Noonan is aware that the defensive cohesion must be re-established, and possession of the game cannot be relinquished again. Offensively, Cincinnati has been fine in spite of the recent defeats.
They have netted nine goals in the most recent five encounters, with Evander, the attacking midfielder, being the star performer. He is the team's top performer this season, having netted seven goals and provided an assist in 14 outings. They hope they will be able to devise a special strategy for stopping him, perhaps by double marking or man-marking.
DC United seeks to recover without Benteke
In the meantime, coach Troy Lesesne is doing his best to make DC United a contender despite the absence of its leading scorer. Christian Benteke, the team's top scorer with six goals and 2024's Golden Boot recipient, remains sidelined due to an ankle injury.
The team's looking for faster, more dynamic replacements. During the 1-1 draw with New England Revolution, substitute Brazilian midfielder Gabriel Pirani came into the game in the 81st minute and scored the tying goal in the 91st minute. The Brazilian was the match-saver and might get some good minutes this Saturday. Even with those glimpses of good play, the team from Washington has not been consistent. They have three wins, seven draws, and six losses.