THE BLACK AND RED

DC United reworked much of their starting eleven to prepare for Troy Lesesne’s second full season as head coach. Notable additions include Peglow as a starting left-winger from the Polish Ekstraklasa, Kye Rowles as a starting center-back from the Scottish Premiership, and Kim Jun-Hong as a starting goalkeeper from the Korean K. League 1.

Lesesne was previously tenured as the interim head coach for the New York Red Bulls in 2023, where he faced FC Cincinnati in competitive matches like the Round One Best-of-3 Series. In 2024, his DC was winless against the Red Bulls, drawing away and losing at home.

In all but one of his seven matches against FC Cincinnati, his sides have settled for less possession. That is by design, as it allows a possession-based opponent to waste energy while they are pressed hard. This was especially true for his Red Bull side, but for DC, he has emphasized a somewhat possession-based style with efficiency.

None of their goals have come on the counter; all have come from either open play or set pieces, including penalties. Most of their attacks have come from the left side, which has been occupied by left-winger Peglow and left-back David Schnegg when overlapping.

DC’s most recent result was a demolition, losing 6-1 at the San Jose Earthquakes on the thirtieth anniversary of MLS’ inaugural match. As unbelievable as it sounds, they were on the end of an unlucky scoreline; they had 56% of possession and just as many shots on target (10) as their opponent. They were thwarted by heroic goalkeeping from the Quakes’ Daniel, who had nine saves.

Regardless, they aren’t in a good position. They sit 12th in the East, four points off a playoff spot, with just one win through their seven matches. Their defense is statistically the worst in the league with 17 goals conceded. It will be an uphill battle against Cincinnati, even if they have home-field advantage.

THE ORANGE AND BLUE

The Orange and Blue are looking to bounce back from a run of matches where they failed to look better than their opponent. They returned to winning ways last weekend against New England, looking more cohesive than they had in a while.

They have struggled to get the ball to Evander in dangerous positions, and therefore to create enough chances for Denkey to finish. The defense has been lackadaisical compared to what it has been, but they took a step in the right direction with their clean sheet against New England—their first since the home opener.

In spite of schedule congestion, a flurry of injuries, and the aforementioned lack of cohesion among the team, the Orange and Blue are on a three-match winning streak and sit tied for 3rd in the East with 13 points.

Evander is an unknown as he recovers from a tweak in his knee suffered against Nashville. Noonan said that Nwobodo will be a “game-time” decision, Kubo suffered a set-back and that will be managed, and Hadebe will be out with his return estimated to be a “couple weeks” away, all per Carter Chapley. Robinson will likely appear as he was fully participating in training.

DC’s defense will doubtlessly struggle against an attacking front that includes Denkey, Orellano, and Bucha. If the Orange and Blue are able to replicate those last 30 minutes against New England where they looked clinical, they will be in pole position to leave the capital with all three points.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Pavel Bucha is Cincinnati’s player to watch. He scored a brace in the last road trip to DC. Against New England, it was his pullback across the face of goal that led to Santos’ winner. He has been expected to provide more offensive support and has come through with three goals and two assists so far in ’25.

Christian Benteke is DC’s player to watch. His goal in that San Jose match adds to his tally of 5 goals that have him tied at second for the Golden Boot. He is a strong-bodied striker with the most imposing aerial prowess in the league; this will be a challenge for Cincinnati’s hodgepodge defense to overcome.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The field might be tilted in favor of Cincinnati, but there are factors that work against them. The quality of DC’s grass pitch has been criticized, and they are ill-prepared at dealing with sides that press hard. If anything, they will struggle to move the ball around amidst this.

DC is in desperate need of some sort of consolation win, as they try to avoid slipping further down the table. If they can use the pitch and pressure to their advantage, they have a chance.

With the team missing a few starters, Cincinnati must adjust to these unique factors, especially as they miss Evander to run the attack. That is a lesson they’ve been forced to learn in this still-young season; are they going to be up to this test?

MATCH INFO

WHERE: Audi Field

WHEN: 7:30

WATCH: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+

The post FC Cincinnati with a test away against DC United appeared first on Cincinnati Soccer Talk.

FC Cincinnati

Fresh off a thrilling 2-1 victory over Nashville SC, FC Cincinnati (3-2-1, 10 points) is riding high. Kévin Denkey, the hero of that match with a stoppage-time penalty, has been clutch this season, leading MLS with three game-winning goals.

Evander has been another standout, tallying four goals and an assist so far. His playmaking ability will be crucial in breaking down New England’s defense, especially with the possibility of facing a weakened backline due to injuries.

New England Revolution

The Revolution (1-3-1, 4 points) secured their first win of the season last weekend, edging out the New York Red Bulls 2-1. Carles Gil was instrumental, netting both goals, including a dramatic penalty in the seventh minute of stoppage time.

Historically, New England has been a thorn in Cincinnati’s side, boasting an unbeaten 4-0-1 record at TQL Stadium. However, with FC Cincinnati’s current form, tonight presents a golden opportunity to rewrite that narrative.

Key Matchup

Stopping Evander will be paramount for New England. His vision and precision passing can dismantle defenses, and with Denkey’s finishing prowess, the Revolution’s backline will have their hands full. On the flip side, FC Cincinnati must keep tabs on Gil, whose recent form suggests he’s a constant threat.

Prediction

Given FC Cincinnati’s momentum and home advantage, they have a solid chance to secure a victory. However, New England’s recent resurgence and historical dominance at TQL Stadium can’t be overlooked. Expect a closely contested match with both teams finding the net.

How to Watch

TV/Streaming: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV

Radio: ESPN 1530 (English), La Mega 101.5 FM (Spanish)

In-Person: TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, OH

For those heading to the match, gates open at 6 p.m. ET.

The post FC Cincinnati vs. New England Revolution: Match Preview appeared first on Cincinnati Soccer Talk.

Chicago Fire FC II got their first win of the season against Toronto FC II on March 13. Then they signed 15-year-old midfielder Brody Williams on March 20th. The Fire II may have more of an edge, but FCC 2 is ambitious for a win.

FCC 2 has been down on its luck lately. They haven’t found their rhythm, and don’t even have a goal this season. But this could be the spark FCC 2 needs to fight the Chicago Fire FC II. FCC 2 is hungry and a win on Sunday could satiate that hunger.

Series History

The past three meetings between these teams have held FCC 2 to a 1-3-4 record, with FCC 2 winning two games in penalty kicks. The most notable performance in these past three matchups is a stellar 5-0 victory at home, where FCC 2 dominated in almost every matchday stat, including red cards, with midfielder Amir Daley receiving the only red card given in the 83rd minute.

With this recent history, FCC 2 may be feeling confident, but it’s a matter of winning in regulation. The home-field advantage may make this a bit easier for the Orange and Blue.

Players to watch

Chicago Fire FC II

Trip Fleming (Midfielder):

Leading The Fire II with two goals and 180 minutes in two games, Fleming, who signed with the club in February of this year, is already making a name for himself. Fleming scored his first goal of his MLS Next Pro career in the team’s shutout against Toronto FC II in the 81st minute. Fleming also scored the lone goal in the season-opening loss against Huntsville City FC.

FC Cincinnati 2

Paul Walters (Goalkeeper):

Walters may only have one job, some may say, but saving four out of five shots on goal is an impressive stat for a team that’s yet to score a goal this season. FCC 2 is going to have to step it up on offense, or it will be a long season for the goalkeeper.

The post Preview: FC Cincinnati 2 looks to get their first win of the season against the Chicago Fire II appeared first on Cincinnati Soccer Talk.

The road does not get easier for FCC (2-1-2) this Saturday. The team travels to the Music City for a showdown against Nashville SC (3-1-1), a squad who have rebounded from a disappointing 2024 campaign with a strong start this season. Whether you want to call it a “rivalry” or not, there has been no shortage of intensity in these matchups over the past few seasons. Throw in the fact that there’s some palpable mutual disdain between the two fanbases, and there will likely be a little extra electricity in the crowd at GEODIS Park.

All of this to say, if FC Cincinnati wants a win to end their woes on the road, they’ll have to survive an absolute battle to earn it.

TIDE TURNING FOR THE ORANGE AND BLUE?

It hasn’t been an easy start to the season for FC Cincinnati for a variety of reasons, but there’s a hint of optimism heading into Saturday’s matchup. The second half of last week’s 2-2 draw against Atlanta United was arguably the most polished the team has looked this season. A strong attack, sparked by a “takeover” performance from Evander, finally reminded us of the dominant offense FCC fans have come to expect in recent years. And while a couple of key mistakes on the back end resulted in dropped points, there were still signs of the team finally finding some chemistry.

That chemistry should also be bolstered with a more consistent lineup. Injuries, international call-ups, and a packed early-season schedule have forced Pat Noonan to roll out five vastly different starting XIs in each of FCC’s first five MLS matches this season. As reported by Laurel Pfahler this week, however, Noonan expects more consistency moving forward. This week, the lineup will get a boost from Kévin Denkey’s return from international duty, Miles Robinson’s return from illness, and Gilberto Flores’ return from suspension. While it seems FCC could be without Teenage Hadebe and Yuya Kubo this week, there are still enough pieces to roll out a somewhat normal XI against Nashville.

RED HOT IN MUSIC CITY

On the other side, it’s been a completely different situation for Nashville SC, who have been able to roll out virtually the same back line and forward combo in each of their five games this season. BJ Callaghan’s squad has ridden that chemistry to three consecutive wins, all by a margin of two goals or more. That includes an impressive 3-1 win on the road against current league leaders Philadelphia Union, making Nashville SC the only team to defeat the Zolos this season.

Nashville’s strength, as it’s always been, is their stinginess. Led by captain Walker Zimmerman and rising star Jack Maher, Nashville has conceded the third-fewest shots among Eastern Conference teams this season, and their three goals allowed are tied for second-fewest across the entire MLS. Up front, Nashville’s scoring has come by committee, with seven different players finding the scoresheet this season.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Last Saturday gave FC Cincinnati fans a glimpse of what Evander can do. We saw him “come off of the leash” a bit and become more involved in the play in different areas of the field while being unafraid to push and create chances via dribbling rather than  progressive passing. This led to his first brace in an FCC kit and several other quality chances. It will be interesting to see if Evander’s more aggressive style can open more chances for Denkey and Luca Orellano up front.

For Nashville, keep an eye on Edvard Tagseth. The Norwegian international has been a firecracker for his new team this season, excelling at controlling the pace of play in the midfield. He’s careful with the ball but also isn’t afraid to thread the needle and spring one of his attacking teammates down the pitch for a quality opportunity.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Communication and chemistry continue to be the biggest X factor in these early season matches. FC Cincinnati’s overall play has been solid this season; it’s just been those one or two breakdowns in key moments that have been their undoing.

Ideally, those are the kind of mishaps that go away with more practice and more lineup consistency, both of which should be happening shortly. Whether there is improvement by this Saturday remains to be seen.

Nashville’s not the flashiest team, but they’re incredibly disciplined and capable of pouncing on opponent’s mistakes. If Cincinnati can limit those and keep communication sharp, they have a squad that can win tough games like these on the road. If we see the type of miscommunications we saw in the previous road games against Charlotte, Tigres, and Philadelphia, it could be a long night.

The post FC Cincinnati looks to end road woes against surging Nashville SC squad appeared first on Cincinnati Soccer Talk.

FC Cincinnati (2W-0D-2L, 7 pts) welcomes Atlanta United FC (1W-1D-2L, 4 pts) to TQL Stadium for a match with an unusual start time of 2:30 p.m. on a Saturday. FCC fans accustomed to the recent rapid-fire game schedule are likely noticing MLS soccer missing in their regular diet and reflecting, “It seems like years since it’s been here.” With a game-time temperature in the mid-50s, and the forecast calling for the clouds to part to let the rays shine through, those in attendance will likely find comfort after previous games played in the “long, cold, lonely winter.” But will we see “smiles returning to their faces?”

THE OPPOSITION

For the second straight game, FC Cincinnati will face a team that has lost a heartbreaker to Inter Miami. Fafà Picault’s 89th-minute goal gave Miami a 2-1 victory last Sunday. Before that game, Atlanta completed a 0-0 draw against NY Red Bulls on March 8th, a 2-0 loss to Charlotte on March 1st, and their only victory came almost a month ago over Montreal, 3-2. Atlanta will be without eleven players in its lineup, with Luis Abram, Miguel Almiron, Luke Brennan, Noah Cobb, Jay Fortune, Stian Gregersen, Efrain Morales, and Bartosz Slisz all called up for international duty. Mateusz Klich, Edwin Mosquera, and Jamal Thiare are also sidelined with injuries.

THE FIVE STRIPES TO WATCH

Emmanual Latte Lath is Atlanta’s 26-year-old explosive striker from Ivory Coast. He has recorded three goals for Atlanta so far this year. Lath played many years for Atalanta before a series of loans to various teams and a two-year stint with Middlesbrough where he recorded 27 goals.  He signed a four-year Designated Player contract with Atlanta through 2028 with a reported MLS record $22 million transfer fee. The previous record was held by Kevin Denkey ($16.2 million).

The Atlanta players to never discount are Brooks Lennon and Brad Guzan. Lennon has 147 appearances for Atlanta since 2020 and appearances on United States national teams. He can find players, cross effectively, and distribute missile strikes deep into enemy territory. Brad Guzan, at age 40, has 203 games with Atlanta United since 2017 and 64 appearances with the United States from 2006-2021. You couldn’t ask for a more experienced backline director.

WHO ARE WE?

While Atlanta will be missing eleven due to international duty, Cincinnati will only sacrifice two. Kévin Denkey has been called up to the Togo National Team, and Stefan Chirila the Romania National Team U-18. However, Cincinnati will also be missing Gilberto Flores. He was suspended due to a red card at the end of the Charlotte game. Still, FCC will have Evander and Luca Orellano, and the usual cast available in midfield. The real mystery lies in how Pat Noonan will construct the defense. Will we see the return of Hagglund or the recently signed Australian wingback Brad Smith? In all likelihood Smith’s entrance would come as a substitute for Lukas Engel, who reflected on his familiarity with Latte Lath in FC Cincinnati’s mid-week press conference. Engel and Lath are both coming from Middlesbrough having played plenty of matches together.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Denkey’s absence could paradoxically streamline FC Cincinnati’s attack. Less congestion up top might give Evander the room to showcase his playmaking abilities and build a more consistent partnership with Orellano. It also just happens to be Luca Orellano’s 24th birthday, which is always a nice reason to generate a hat trick! Will Noonan start Baird as he often has, or does this represent a possible starting opportunity for Santos, adding a burst of speed? Of course, to get there the backline and midfield will have to communicate and build well from the back.

For more, check out our own Geoff Tebbetts with his Jersey Swap, or Josh Dye who took some time to preview the match with Henry Higuita from Scarves and Spikes.

MATCH INFO

Where: TQL Stadium

When: Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Watch:  MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
English Local Radio: iHeart Media ESPN 1530
Spanish Local Radio: La Mega 101.5 FM

The post FC Cincinnati welcomes a depleted Atlanta United to TQL appeared first on Cincinnati Soccer Talk.

Charlotte FC last season

In 2024 Charlotte FC entered their season looking for stability and turned to ex-Premier League manager Dean Smith to lead their squad. He was able to be a steady hand in the midst of a roster flip from their inaugural season, leading them to a 14-11-9 record and finishing 5th in the East, their best finish as a club.

Charlotte was  confronted with the reality that their established Designated Players, Karol Swiderski, Kamil Jozwiak, and Enzo Copetti had been largely unsuccessful. By the time they kicked off their first game of 2025, the three players had been replaced with two new DPs, attacking wingers Liel Abada and Wilfred Zaha.

Understandably, the addition of ex-Crystal Palace winger Wilfred Zaha has garnered the most headlines, and he has received one Man of the Match performance of the games he has played in thus far. But the biggest addition may be their Spanish attacking midfielder Pep Biel.

Rising through the ranks of La Liga squads, Pep Biel was eventually transferred to FC Copenhagen, before making his way to Olympiacos. Unable to replicate his success at previous stops, he has been constantly loaned out by the Greek squad and became the main string puller for this Charlotte side when he first joined in the summer of 2024.

In his nine appearances last year, he amassed two goals and three assists. While these are not massive on-paper stats, he became the focal point for their counter attacking offense, often being the one to spring willing runners into the attacking half. With an upgrade in attacking winger talent, Charlotte may take the next step and become a legitimate contender in MLS in 2025.

How they measure so far

Despite these offseason upgrades, it is still evident Charlotte is working to integrate these pieces. They have won only one of their first three games and were ponderous and slow trying to break down Inter Miami, even though Miami was down a man for over 50 minutes in their game last week.

Getting out on the break is their preferred method of attacking, but the team will look to build their attacking cohesion, especially as FC Cincinnati has proven their vulnerabilities in a low block.

The two teams kick off at 7:30 PM on Saturday in Charlotte, with the winner taking the inside track to be declared the rightful heir to the Queen City title.

The post Preview: FC Cincinnati v Charlotte FC appeared first on Cincinnati Soccer Talk.

LOS TIGRES

Tigres fired their manager, Veljko Paunović, just a few days before leg one. Their fanbase were discontent with his management despite them being in third place in the Clausura of Liga MX. Their club captain, Guido Pizarro, subsequently retired and was immediately hired as their head coach.

In their first match against Cincinnati, they were focused on a possession-based, dominant style. But they looked somewhat sloppy on the ball. The early goal they conceded to Pavel Bucha was equalized by a point-blank header from Nicolas Ibañez. For the rest of that match, their defense held out against an onslaught of missed chances from the FCC.

They looked much more dominant in Friday’s regular season match against Querétaro. With the  lion’s share of possession at 81%, they took 11 shots; the defense was still somewhat shaky by allowing eight shots. They had 791 passes compared to Querétaro’s 182.

Tigres are perennial high spenders,  known to sign top talents around Liga MX. They have Juan Brunetta, who won Mexico’s best footballer award as part of his time with Santos Laguna. Their striker, Nicolas Ibañez, has been scoring in swaths for Liga MX teams for nine seasons. Uriel Antuna is a winger who did very well with Cruz Azul. The team went to Europe to sign former wunderkinds in Diego Lainez and Marcelo Flores. Joaquim, one of their center-backs, was signed from Santos in Brazil.

When you combine a well-constructed roster with a coach who knows his side well and has already gotten results, you have something that is hard to beat.

THE ORANGE AND BLUE

The Orange and Blue’s most recent match was a satisfactory 2-0 win over Toronto FC. In that match, Noonan rolled out a 4-2-3-1 formation that hadn’t been seen in the past two seasons. A penalty from Kévin Denkey and a late finish from Kubo secured all 3 points.

But that was at home. El Volcán is one of the most boisterous atmospheres in Mexico; it is always a very difficult match there for any away club, let alone one from MLS. In their last 36 matches at home, Los Tigres have only lost twice.

For an MLS club, failing to win the first leg at home and securing it in the second leg is highly unlikely. It has only been done once in league history: the CCC Quarter-final second leg where Columbus visited Tigres and won 4-3 on penalties.

Fans and executives alike agree that this is the most quality team in club history. But it’s early in the season, and there have been missed chances and moments when the defense looked sloppier than preferred. Still, most other MLS clubs are experiencing this—especially those balancing the league and CCC.

It will likely be the most difficult away match that the Orange and Blue have ever played. They are having to weather a storm with fixture congestion, and history has rendered matches like this almost impossible. But if there is any team that can pull it off, it is this one.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Luca Orellano is Cincinnati’s player to watch. In both his brief cameo last Tuesday and the 60 minutes he played on Saturday, he looked dangerous. He adds much-needed chaos to a balanced squad, having the ability to create something out of nothing.

It would be easy to pick Nicolas Ibañez for Tigres’ player to watch since he scored a goal in each of Pizarro’s first two matches in charge. But I’d choose Juan Brunetta as one that fans should keep an eye on. He is Tigres’ maestro and will be expected to show up in a match like this.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Tigres will be playing at a high level. So far under Pizarro, they have been more expressive rather than sitting back and settling for breakaways.

Fixture congestion must be taken into account for Cincinnati. They have played five matches in 15 days.

Regardless, this match is a worthy challenge for Noonan’s boys. They have yet to truly get going, but we could easily see them playing up to their opposition’s level. Nothing is ruled out for this high-ceiling team—not even making history.

MATCH INFO

WHERE: Estadio Universidad

WHEN: Tuesday at 10:30 p.m.

WATCH: FS2

The post FC Cincinnati plays Tigres UANL in decisive second leg at El Volcán appeared first on Cincinnati Soccer Talk.

FC Cincinnati 2

For FCC2, the recent signing of the 18-year-old defender Yorkeaff Caicedo is an important addition to the team. Caicedo, who previously played for the Ecuadorian U-17 National Team, had 14 starts and 26 appearances for the club and helped Ecuador finish third in the 2023 standings. Caicedo has been a part of FCC2 pre-season training group and has made four appearances in the group’s pre-season matchups.

FCC2 announced the signing of Dilan Hurtado on Friday, March 7. Although Hurtado played in the team’s final preseason game against Indy Eleven, it is unclear if he will appear during Sunday’s game.

Toronto FC 2

For TFC2, two home-grown players will take the stage, and one may sound familiar to any Mid-American Conference (MAC) fans.

Malik Henry  split his collegiate career between the University of North Carolina Tar Heels and the University of Akron Zips and was originally selected 39th overall by Montreal FC in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft. With only three appearances with the Tar Heels in his rookie year, Henry was able to produce two goals, 21 assists, and 71 appearances with the Zips. Also with the Zips, Henry was honored with many accolades including: Second Team All-Mid-American Conference (2021), All-Ohio (2021, 2023), First Team All-MAC (2022), Second Team All-BIG EAST (2023, 2024), Third Team All-East Region (2023) and First Team All-East Region (2024).

Micah Chisholm has experience not only from collegiate soccer, but also from playing across the pond. Chisholm made a name for himself with Hannover 96 II in Lower Saxony. With only six appearances, Chisholm helped his team lift the 2023-2024 Regionalliga Nord championship.

Both Chisholm and Henry come from Ontario, Canada—Chisholm from Markham and Henry from Hamilton.

MATCH INFO

When: Sunday, March 9 at 6 p.m.

Where: Scudamore Stadium

Watch:  MLSNextPro website.

The post FCC2 VS TFC2 Preview: New season, new beginnings, new prospects appeared first on Cincinnati Soccer Talk.

TORONTO FC

It’s been a rough start to things for the Reds this season, as the squad finds themselves winless in their first two fixtures. Their season started off with a 2-2 draw away to D.C United, a match which saw the Reds concede two first half goals, a deficit that would prove insurmountable. A week later, TFC would travel to take on Orlando City. Fielding the same starting 11 as the week before, things unfortunately didn’t get any better for the club. After a quiet thirty minutes, the Lions opened the scoring with a Cesar Araujo direct free kick goal. From there things only got worse, with the Reds ultimately losing 4-2.

Despite the rocky start, this Toronto roster is one that features some great playmakers. They retained a good number of players from last year’s roster, and brought in several new signings during the offseason, including Theo Corbeanu, a TFC academy product currently on loan from Grenada FC. Additionally, the Reds brought in Ola Brynhildsen, a striker on loan from FC Midtjylland. Their biggest loss from last season is Prince Osei Owusu, who led the squad in scoring and now reps the stylized fleur-de-lis of CF Montreal.

TFC finds themselves under new, yet familiar, leadership this season. After dismissing John Herdman in November of last year, the Reds ownership brought in former TFC coach Robin Fraser. During his first stint with Toronto (2015-2018) Frasier led the Reds to their first and only MLS Cup in 2017. He now rejoins Toronto after spending the last four years as the head man on the touchline for Colorado Rapids.

THE ORANGE AND BLUE

It is not a stretch to say that the beginning of the 2025 MLS campaign for FC Cincinnati has been a trying one. After starting the season with a hard-fought win versus New York Red Bulls at home, FCC found themselves on the short end of a 4-1 result at Subaru Park in Philadelphia last Saturday. Between MLS and CONCACAF Champions Cup play, FCC has had their ups and downs thus far. Of course, we must remember that they are in the middle of a stretch of six matches in 17 days.

Coming into their second home MLS fixture of the season, the Orange and Blue will look to build off what was a promising showing against Liga MX giant Tigres on Tuesday night. That match may have ended 1-1, but it featured a number of improvements over the squads showing in Philly last Saturday. Another promising sign came in the form of Luca Orellano, who made his season debut in the 65th minute. Despite only playing a limited number of minutes together on Tuesday, what we saw from the combination of Kevin Denkey, Evander, and Luca was promising.

The Orange and Blue have won five of their last six matches against TFC, with the one non-win coming in the form of an Opening Day draw last season at TQL. The Reds have not won in Cincinnati since the Jaap Stam era, when they defeated FCC 1-0 at Nippert Stadium. The FCC faithful will seek another winning performance from their side on Saturday.

MATCH INFO

Where: TQL Stadium

When: Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Watch: MLS Season Pass and Apple TV+

The post Looking to Bounce Back: FC Cincinnati returns to TQL to take on Toronto FC appeared first on Cincinnati Soccer Talk.

The season is off and running and the fixtures keep coming hot and heavy for FC Cincinnati. After a tough 4-1 loss in Philadelphia Saturday night, the Orange and Blue are coming back to TQL Stadium to continue their CONCACAF Champions Cup run. After dispatching Motagua in the round of 32, FCC now have a much harder opponent in the Mexican giant, Tigres UNAL. The teams are set, so let’s dive into both sides.

The visitors 

Unlike FCC, Tigres are well into their season at this point in the year. Liga MX does their seasons a little differently. The league runs on two different seasons, Aperture (July-December)  and Clausura (January-May). Tigres performed very well in the Aperture season finishing 3rd place and just one point behind 2nd place Toluca. In the current Clausura season, Tigres are in the exact same spot sitting 3rd in the table. In their last five matches Tigres have won three and lost two. With wins coming against Cruz Atlas, Cruz Azul, and Necaxa, and losses to León and Juárez. Safe to say that Tigres are a team in great form. Tigres employ a possession-based style of football. The main formation they have been using is a 4-2-3-1. They like to rely on their wingers to get up the sides of the pitch and get crosses into the box, which can create chaos or opportunities for headed goals from a striker or midfielder.

Players to watch for Tigres UNAL 

Tigres has always been a hot bed for talented players, and not just players from Mexico. The Brazilian CB Joaquim Pereira is a force to be reckoned with. He’s 6’3″ and has plenty of pace and strength to keep up with all attackers. Dangerous on corner kicks, he wins a whopping 95 percent of all aerial duels, so FCC would be wise not to give up too many corners. Uruguayan midfielder  Fernando Gorriarán is a do it all type player. Great at cutting off passing lanes and putting in a tackle on players, he’s also not afraid to join the attack as well. Juan Brunetta, a talented Argentinian midfielder, plays a bit further up the pitch so he can use his excellent passing ability to distribute to his teammates. If you give him the space and time, he can score the goals himself as well.

Tigres CCC round up

Tigres had a more adventurous round of 32 matchup in the CCC. They took on the Nicaraguan side Real Esteli FC. In a shocking upset, Tigres were beaten 1-0 in Nicaragua on Feb 5th. The second leg was no problem at all though. In just two minutes Tigres tied the aggregate score. They added two more goals in the 14th and 85th minute. So, while they were upset in shocking fashion in the first leg of the tie, in the end they really didn’t struggle with Real Esteli FC all that much.

FCC CCC first round reap

FCC had an easier time in their round of 32 with FC Motagua. The first leg took place in Honduras, and it was FCC’s first competitive match of the 2025 season. There were some nervy moments, and the score could have been much different, but FCC won 4-1. The second leg was a bit more of a boring affair. With the two-leg tie pretty much in hand, FCC rotated the squad and played some younger players. Motagua scored first, but FCC equalized through Kévin Denkey. The match finished 1-1, and FCC advanced with an aggregate score of 5-2.

FCC storylines

This match is coming at a bad time for the Orange and Blue. Having been beaten handily by Philadelphia on Saturday night by a score of 4-1, the team will be licking their wounds. The match on Tuesday night will also be FCC’s fifth match in 13 days, and with a squad that is not completely healthy it’s going to be a tall order. The two big transfers from this winter, Evander and Kévin Denkey, will look to continue their good form. Evander picked up his first goal for the club in Philly, and Denkey has already netted three goals. Luca Orellano might return to the squad during this match. He would be a welcome boon in tough matchup.

What to expect

This is shaping up to be an uphill battle for FCC—tired squad going up against an experienced and well-conditioned Tigres side well into their season. FCC do have a good enough roster to go toe to toe with the historic Mexican club, but how much will the fatigue factor into the results? FCC will want to erase the memory of Saturday night as quickly as possible and what better way to do that then beating Tigres and being in a great position to move to the next round in the second leg. It will be a very good test for both sides, and it should produce some dramatic football.

Match Info

Where: TQL Stadium

When: Tuesday, March 4^th at 6:30 p.m.

Watch: FS2, Foxsports.com, FuboTV, VIX

The post Tigres come to TQL for a CCC round of 16 Clash appeared first on Cincinnati Soccer Talk.