FC Cincinnati is faced with their biggest challenge of the season. After a 1-1 home tie, the American club travels south of the border to Mexico for what amounts to an elimination game versus Tigres UANL of the Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16. It could not get more challenging: to face Mexican soil against a team that plays so well there and has overrun MLS clubs by a wide margin.
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But the Orange & Blue are not about to fold. With a strong road record, including two Concacaf Champions Cup away wins, Cincinnati is seeking to reverse Tigres' modest edge and secure a quarterfinal spot.
But to do so, they will have to overcome obstacles that few MLS teams have successfully navigated. Is Cincinnati about to make history of its own?
Tigres' home dominance
Tigres is in the favorable position. Its Mexican club is unbeaten in six home matches that it played recently against MLS opposition and is familiar with its style of playing at home. Moreover, they have a better chance thanks to Nicolás Ibáñez's timely away goal from the first-leg draw. Therefore, a nil-nil draw would be enough to seal their qualification.
Even so, don't count on Tigres sitting back and playing defense. Guido Pizarro's side is loaded with talent, and even without André-Pierre Gignac, who is out injured, they have enough quality up front to put pressure on Cincinnati from the opening whistle.
Seasoned goalkeeper Nahuel Guzmán, the tournament's most capped player, is a bonus source of confidence. The Argentine has repeatedly proved himself to be a defensive stopper, and his presence can be the difference in securing a quarterfinal spot.
Tigres does not want to leave anything to fate and win its second Concacaf Champions Cup, having lifted the trophy for the first time in 2020. For that, it needs a disciplined, blemish-free performance.
FC Cincinnati’s uphill battle in Mexico
While Tigres looks comfortable, FC Cincinnati has the perfect opportunity to prove it belongs on the international stage. The MLS side heads into this clash with renewed confidence, especially after a convincing 2-0 win over Toronto FC last weekend, featuring goals from Denkey and Yuya Kubo.
Apart from that, Cincinnati has shown that it can hold its head high on the road in the Concacaf Champions Cup, winning two out of three away games in the competition. But the loss was on the road in Mexico to Monterrey, during the 2024 season.
The challenge will not be easy, but Cincinnati has the weapons to pull off a shock. Midfielder Pavel Bucha, who scored in the first leg, could prove to be the difference-maker once more, and Kévin Denkey is proving to be an important component in an attack that must be clinical and opportunistic.
The largest test will be holding defensive shape against a Tigres team that, though it can push forward without scoring, never plays negatively. The crowd at home will put added pressure on the MLS team, so it is vital that Cincinnati remain intelligent, select its moments, and take advantage when the chance comes.
Who advances?
Tigres are the heavy favorite, they have a superior record against MLS sides, they play at home, and a scoreless draw would be enough to advance them. But that plus could be a minus as well. If Cincinnati can get on the board first, the Mexican team will be left having to chase the match, and that might work to the advantage of the visitors.
For Orange & Blue, the challenge is enormous, but not impossible. They will need a flawless defensive display and need to capitalize on every attacking chance that comes their way.
This match is going to be intense from start to finish, regardless of the outcome. Tigres wishes to confirm its superiority, while FC Cincinnati is hell-bent on making everyone eat their words and write Concacaf Champions Cup history.