Having ended a five-match win streak with an away loss, FC Cincinnati return to TQL Stadium this Saturday (10) with a sole intention in mind: regaining control over their own narrative. Entertaining Austin FC, who are arriving in town hot off an unforgettable U.S. Open Cup turnabout, the Ohio team will attempt to remain home untouched and continue keeping things hot near the top of the MLS Eastern Conference. And although the recent history between those two clubs is short, it lingers.
Quiet revenge on a first-time visitor
FC Cincinnati and Austin FC did not meet until 2022. In the Orange and Blue's first game under head coach Pat Noonan, they were drubbed 5–0 in Texas. But a lot has happened since then. Cincinnati are far better placed today than they were when that scheme started. On a solid platform, solid home form, and enhanced confidence, the club will host Austin for the first time.
The timing is right to regroup. The 1-0 loss to New York City FC on Saturday was a wake-up call. Even after the recent good performances, Noonan's team had their winning streak broken just minutes into the match, with Julian Fernandez netting in the 10th minute. The team struggled to counter but could not break through New York's defense at Citi Field. It was the first loss in more than 40 days.
TQL Stadium as a fortress
If the team was struggling on the road, their home record has been immaculate. With four wins and one draw, FC Cincinnati are one of only two MLS clubs that remain undefeated at home in 2025. The other is Seattle Sounders. Home stability has been a characteristic of the team, which now has 13 wins, four draws and four losses against Western Conference opponents under Noonan.
The following game is the second of a three-game stint against Western-based clubs. It is part of a road swing that also consists of games with San Diego FC and FC Dallas. Interestingly enough, none of those three have hosted FC Cincinnati before. The game against Austin presents a chance to begin this run on a positive note by taking a symbolic and tactical victory.
Austin arrived in a buoyant mood after surprise U.S. Open Cup win
Conversely, Austin FC come to Cincinnati with confidence newly found after an unlikely turnaround. On Wednesday, during the U.S. Open Cup, the team was 2-0 down at halftime against El Paso Locomotive and seemed about to be eliminated. But within about seven minutes late in the second half, the tide turned. Three goals, a comeback, and a berth. The hero was ex-FC Cincinnati player Brandon Vázquez.
He scored twice and assisted Myrto Uzuni to score. Vázquez, Monterrey's signing during this campaign, has four in the league and ten appearances, with two in the cup. Last week's show was a watershed moment, if a game ever is one. He comes back to face his former club at the weekend when he is now 26 and riding a surge of momentum as well as feeling.