FC Cincinnati returns to the MLS 2025 fourth round eager to make a comeback after Concacaf Champions Cup defeat and secure their first away victory this season. Having endured an exhaustive run of fixtures, Pat Noonan's side now has to prove they have the durability and can grind points when out of home while away.
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The challenge this time is not an easy one. Charlotte FC has always been a tough opponent for Cincinnati, especially when playing at home. In three matchups at Bank of America Stadium, the Orange and Blue have never come away with a victory.
Cincinnati’s exhausting match schedule and its impact on the squad
If any club has a cause to grumble about a tough schedule at the beginning of the season, it's FC Cincinnati. They've already played eight games in 24 days, including winnable Concacaf Champions Cup games and the start of MLS, and already the physical toll has been paid.
The loss to Tigres UANL, which officially eliminated them from the Champions Cup, revealed the toll of this tough run. The players were tired, and Noonan realizes his team must bounce back soon. The positive news is that, following the Charlotte game, Cincinnati will have a short break in their schedule, providing additional time for training and recovery.
However, the team coach insisted that he wants his players to handle the situation: "We're going forward the same way we've gone forward in the past six games. We have an extra day to prepare and recover, so I expect the team to be ready to go to get the result," Noonan said.
Despite the genuine fatigue concern, this is a test of the resilience of Cincinnati and whether it can rebound.
The Charlotte FC record and whether it has to be broken
If any Eastern Conference team has caused FC Cincinnati issues, it is Charlotte FC. The North Carolina squad has never lost at home to Cincinnati. Their record at home in Bank of America Stadium is concerning: three matches, no wins, one draw, and two defeats.
The two met last in Charlotte with the encounter ending 1-1 following a stoppage time equalizing goal from Aaron Boupendza. However, when they were once again met at TQL Stadium, the visitors recorded a 3-1 victory against the home side after Miles Robinson was sent off.
The head-to-head overall between these two teams is exactly even: two wins by each and two draws. So that would imply that, other than the away malaise, the game itself is open for anyone. Noonan knows that if Cincinnati is going to win, they must snap Charlotte's defensive discipline and prevent them from capitalizing on quick transitions.
"They are a very difficult team to defend and a dangerous team in transition," Noonan stated in praising Charlotte FC.
That makes any mistake costly.