After a heroic second-half comeback on Saturday, FC Cincinnati is set for a midweek fixture with the New York Red Bulls and is looking to go into the League Cup break with momentum and a larger lead in the Supporters’ Shield standings.
With a seven-point cushion over St. Louis CITY SC and Nashville SC at the top of the table, The Orange and Blue will head into the month-long break the top team in the league regardless of the outcome. Still, FC Cincinnati players and coaches have made it clear their goal in the match with New York is to look for points and not remain complacent.
“I think it’s a good situation to know that before the break, we’ll be at the top of the table,” FCC head coach Pat Noonan said Monday after training, “How do we go into that break is going to be more important for me because we know where we’re at.
“You could go into the break feeling really good. You could go into the break feeling like we missed an opportunity… a lot will depend on how we perform over the next five days and I think it’s important that we recognize the significance of these games to maintain a lead and not let it slip.”
Historically The Orange and Blue have struggled when traveling to New York for a game with the Red Bulls, but recent form has gone in FCC’s way. Since Pat Noonan started as head coach FC Cincinnati is undefeated against the MLS charter club.
“A lot of consistency in what they’re about,” is how Noonan described his Wednesday night opponent, “It’s about how we handle a team that’s very good at making you uncomfortable and understanding the right times to try to play and the right times to take away the risk.”
The Orange and Blue are geared up for a playoff race as the season ends. With 13 games to play in the regular season, Noonan believes the opportunity to play high-intensity games now will benefit the club down the stretch and into the playoffs.
“The more games that you can experience that feel like they’re playoff type games, where there’s pressure, where you have opponents that step their game up for you… that’s a good thing.” Noonan said heading into the match, “That prepares you in a better way for the end of the season…all these games are going to help prepare us for an even more intense, even more pressure-filled end to the season.”
FC CINCINNATI at New York Red Bulls – WEDNESDAY, July, 12, 2023 – 7:30 p.m. ET – Red Bull Arena
Stream: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
TV Talent (English): Calum Williams (PxP), Calen Carr (Analyst)
TV Talent (Spanish): Bruno Vain (PxP), Andres Agulla (Analyst)
Radio: ESPN 1530
Radio Talent: Tom Gelehrter (play-by-play), Kevin McCloskey (Analyst)
ALL-TIME SERIES
Wednesday’s matchup will be the 12th all-time meeting between FCC and RBNY across all competitions. Since joining MLS, The Orange and Blue are 3-4-4 against the Red Bulls.
In their last matchup, The Orange and Blue defeated the Red Bulls in penalty kicks in the round of 16 in the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup to advance to the quarter-finals.
In 10 prior MLS meetings between the sides, all have been defensive battles. Eight of the 10 matchups have featured two combined goals or less, owning a 2-4-3 record against the Red Bulls in regular season MLS play and a 1-0-0 record in MLS Cup playoffs.
FC CINCINNATI NOTES
New York State of Mind – FC Cincinnati is looking to increase their Supporters’ Shield lead, topping the table with 45 points, a 7 point lead on the second place St. Louis CITY SC and Nashville SC. With two games left before a break in league play for Leagues Cup play, FCC will enter the month-long break top of the table no matter what.
Welcome to New York – Since joining MLS FC Cincinnati has struggled when going on the road to New York teams, owning a 2-6-3 record in 11 away league games. FCC won for the first time in NYC since 2020 earlier this season when they defeated NYCFC 3-1 on May 31.
No Sleep Till Harrison – The Orange and Blue have been dominant in the midweek this season, earning a 6-0-1 record across all competitions and earning wins in each of the midweek games they’ve played this season. The one draw ended in FCC winning in PK’s over New York in Red Bull Arena in the round of 16 in the U.S. Open Cup.
Back in the New York Groove – While historically FCC have struggled in NYC, since Pat Noonan took over as head coach of The Orange and Blue they are undefeated against New York clubs, with vital wins in the MLS Cup Playoffs and US Open Cup.
The Only Scoring Boy in New York City – Luciano Acosta has scored the second most goals in MLS since May, potting nine since the calendar turned over to May. With 17 goals created (goals+assists) Acosta has three fewer than all of New York Red Bull has created with 20 this season.
SCOUTING New York (6-7-8, 26 PTS., 10th EASTERN CONFERENCE)
After winning only one of their first eleven matches, NYRB excused Gerhard Struber from duty and named assistant coach Troy Lesesne as his full-time replacement. Since the change in gaffer, the Red Bulls have gone 5-2-2 and pushed themselves up the table and into playoff contention.
More recently, the Red Bulls are 2-2-1 in their last five games and coming from a win at home over New England Revolution. A late goal from midfielder Wikelman Carmona gave New York the win.
The Red Bulls attack is led by former FC Cincinnati player Frankie Amaya, who has potted three goals for New York in 11 starts. But the Red Bulls' offense is mostly a group effort, with 12 players scoring at least once this season.
New York is 27th in goal scoring this year, only potting 20 goals total in league play, but are third in MLS in goals allowed, signifying their low-event style of play that has helped pull them up in the standings.
With 58 yellow cards earned this season, NYRB isn't afraid of getting physical, particularly Andrés Reyes, who leads the team with eight yellow cards this season.
