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FC Cincinnati
Major League Soccer
Aug 7, 2022 at 12.30am UK
Nippert Stadium
Philadelphia Union

Cincinnati
3 - 1
Philadelphia

Vazquez (50'), Brenner (55'), Barreal (71')
Cameron (34'), Acosta (54'), Hagglund (66')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Aaronson (77')

Preview: FC Cincinnati vs. Philadelphia Union - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Major League Soccer clash between FC Cincinnati and Philadelphia Union, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

FC Cincinnati are fighting an uphill battle to try to end their seven-game winless run in MLS as they welcome Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia Union to the TQL Stadium on Saturday.

Pat Noonan's side played out an enthralling 4-4 draw with Inter Miami last time out, while the visitors humiliated the Houston Dynamo 6-0.


Match preview

FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan during the first half against the Charlotte FC at Bank of America Stadium on March 26, 2022© Reuters

A lack of ruthlessness is not the issue for Cincinnati, but shutting up shop in their defensive third is proving to be a significant challenge for Noonan, whose side have now gone seven games without victory in MLS.

In what was described by the Cincinnati boss as a "chaotic" encounter, Brenner and Brandon Vazquez both hit braces against Inter Miami, but Gonzalo Higuain rolled back the years with a hat-trick before an unlikely hero in Christopher McVey hit the final equaliser for Phil Neville's side in the seventh minute of second-half injury time.

Incredibly, that represented Cincinnati's second 4-4 draw in the space of a month - Noonan's side also shared eight goals around with New York City at the end of June - and it is now six draws in seven for this weekend's hosts.

Cincinnati are clinging onto the seventh and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, despite conceding the second-most goals in their section with 42 - only basement side DC United (44) have a worse record in that regard.

As many as four sides are capable of usurping Cincinnati should results not go Noonan's way this weekend, but not since March have the Orange and Blue failed to score in front of their own supporters, and each of their last four at the TQL Stadium has ended level.

Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin reacts during the first half against New York City FC at Yankee Stadium on March 19, 2022© Reuters

Goal-laden performances have also been on the menu for Jim Curtin and the Philadelphia Union in recent weeks, but unlike their leaky hosts, the Eastern Conference leaders tend to only make the net ripple at the other end of the pitch.

Six goals from five different scorers got the job done in emphatic fashion against the Houston Dynamo last weekend, as Mikael Uhre netted a brace alongside Daniel Gazdag, Julian Carranza, Jack McGlynn and Quinn Sullivan.

A fifth successive victory leaves the Union sitting pretty at the top of the Eastern Conference - three points clear of New York City having played a game more - but Los Angeles FC are still leading the race for the Supporters' Shield.

Curtin's prolific crop have struck 18 goals and conceded a mere two during their five-game winning run, but a paltry record of three victories from their last 10 away from home will give Cincinnati some hope that an upset could be on the cards.

Cincinnati managed to hold the Union to a 1-1 draw as recently as last month, but the hosts are still waiting for their first victory in this fixture and have only ever breached the Union's defence twice in seven matches.

FC Cincinnati Major League Soccer form:
  • D
  • D
  • D
  • L
  • D
  • D

Philadelphia Union Major League Soccer form:
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W


Team News

Philadelphia Union players celebrate a goal in the second half against Charlotte FC at Subaru Park on April 3, 2022© Reuters

Cincinnati should come into Saturday's game with no fewer than three confirmed absentees, as Ronald Matarrita, Kenneth Vermeer and Dominique Badji prepare to watch on from the sidelines.

Sergio Santos will also need assessing as he battles back from a leg issue, while captain and creative hub Luciano Acosta reportedly came off with a physical problem of his own in the dying embers of the 4-4 draw with Inter Miami.

Acosta is not thought to be nursing anything serious and will expect to take his place in the XI here, while Nick Hagglund could threaten Geoff Cameron or Tyler Blackett's spots in the rearguard.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia Union's remarkable form has coincided with an empty treatment room, as Curtin is set to be working with a fully-fit squad once more.

Sullivan's goal off the bench may give Curtin some food for thought, but the visiting coach will be loath to make any changes to his first XI for Saturday's game.

FC Cincinnati possible starting lineup:
Celentano; Hagglund, Murphy, Blackett; Powell, Moreno, Acosta, Nwobodo, Barreal; Vazquez, Brenner

Philadelphia Union possible starting lineup:
Blake; Mbaizo, Glesnes, Elliott, Wagner; McGlynn, Flach, Bedoya; Gazdag; Uhre, Carranza


SM words green background

We say: FC Cincinnati 1-3 Philadelphia Union

Cincinnati fans are sick of the sight of stalemates now, but most would most likely accept a draw versus the Eastern Conference leaders, whose penchant for goals should become apparent here.

Carving their way through a leaky Orange and Blue backline should be an easy ask for the Union, who also have the defensive nous to end the hosts' unbeaten run at the TQL Stadium.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data


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Written by
Ben Knapton

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Game History

How you voted: Cincinnati vs Philadelphia

FC Cincinnati
14.3%
Draw
9.5%
Philadelphia Union
76.2%
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Tables header RHS

Eastern Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Inter MiamiInter Miami34228479493074
2Columbus Crew34199672403266
3FC CincinnatiCincinnati341851158481059
4Orlando City34157125950952
5Charlotte FCCharlotte FC34149114637951
6New York City FCNY City34148125449550
7New York Red BullsNY Red Bulls34111495550547
8CF MontrealMontreal341110134864-1643
9Atlanta UnitedAtlanta341010144649-340
10DC United341010145270-1840
11Philadelphia UnionPhiladelphia34910156255737
12Toronto34114194061-2137
13Nashville SCNashville3499163854-1636
14New England RevolutionNew England3494213774-3731
15Chicago Fire3479184062-2230

Western Conference

TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Los Angeles FCLos Angeles34197863432064
2Los Angeles GalaxyLA Galaxy34197869501964
3Real Salt LakeSalt Lake341611765481759
4Seattle SoundersSeattle34169951351657
5Houston DynamoHouston34159104739854
6Minnesota UnitedMinnesota Utd34157125849952
7Colorado RapidsColorado34155146160150
8Portland TimbersPortland341211116556947
9Vancouver WhitecapsVancouver34138135249347
10Austin FCAustin34119143948-942
11Dallas34118155456-241
12St Louis City34813135063-1337
13Sporting Kansas CityKansas3487195166-1531
14San Jose EarthquakesEarthquakes3463254178-3721


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