FC Cincinnati arrived at Subaru Park hoping to build off last match’s possession-based approach in a 4-3-3 formation. They achieved that, controlling 57% of possession.
But they also carried over two more things from the previous match: the scoreless and the winless droughts.
Here are the takeaways from the 3-0 defeat to the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday night:
Van der Werff: “The difference between the first half and the second half is too big.”
When the halftime whistle sounded, FC Cincinnati were in control of the match and looked comfortable playing in a venue where no opposing team had previously earned a point in 2020.
The Orange and Blue were composed in possession, broke the Union press and countered quickly. The only thing missing was efficiency in front of goal.
In the second half, that carried over until a deflected shot from Ilsinho in the 59th minute made the score 1-0 before the Union added two more.
“One chance, one goal and you’re two-nil behind,” Maikel van der Werff said. “That’s what makes it hard for your mentality, but the fight in the team and the way we play in press is good and is still good. Of course, it’s disappointing when you lose three-nil on the road against a team. OK, they won, I respect that. But, it’s not a really good team. I think we are better and we can do better.”
Being better requiring being more opportunistic in front of goal, however, and that’s still the area where Cincinnati struggled. The visitors had three shots on target from 11 total shots, but none challenged Philly goalkeeper Andre Blake.
“If you want to get results, if you want to get points or if you want to get three points, you need to take your opportunities,” head coach Jaap Stam said. “You don't need to give away opportunities like that, so the opposition can score from that.
“So, all in all, in a way you can say, yeah, good having a lot of possession going forward at times as well. Not decisive enough and defensively and conceding goals. We need to do that better. And it's not only the defenders, it's a whole team that needs to work hard to do that.”
Injury concerns mount
It didn’t take long for Jürgen Locadia to know his shift had ended.
In the 75th minute, he grabbed his right hamstring and hobbled off the field. Brandon Vazquez quickly replaced the Dutchman. It was a difficult sight for Locadia, who had scoring opportunities but awaits his second MLS goal through 13 matches.
Greg Garza found himself in a similar situation 50 minutes earlier, when he was defending a Union counter attack, but then injured himself and watched the play develop from the other side of the 18-yard box. He tried continuing, but was eventually subbed for 20-year-old Zico Bailey, who made his MLS debut.
Depending on the severity of both injuries, hopefully they’re healthy and available for Sunday night’s match against Toronto FC. But regardless of their availability, a depleted roster could mean fewer options against TFC.
Cincinnati haven’t deployed a full 20-man matchday squad since Sept. 2 because of injuries and MLS protocols.
Duo of 20-year-olds debut
Zico Bailey made his MLS debut in the 30th minute when he replaced Garza at left back. It was a big moment for Bailey, who had a promising start to FCC’s 2020 preseason, but was relegated down the depth chart at right back behind Mathieu Deplagne and Saad Abdul-Salaam.
But when Bailey’s opportunity arrived – at left back – he took it and produced a promising performance during the final hour of the match by completing 87.5% of his passes, winning three tackles and creating one chance.
“It’s been a weird year, so I’m thankful to the coach and to everyone at the club for giving me a chance to play in a game,” the defender said. “They know I have quality, so (Stam told me to) just go out there and work my best.”
New signing Álvaro Barreal also made his debut, replacing Frankie Amaya in the 62nd minute. The Argentinean winger completed 71.4% of his passes and won two fouls in Union territory.
“I felt very comfortable when I entered,” Barreal said via a translator. “It wasn’t the debut I hoped for. I would’ve liked to debut with a victory, but the nice thing is that I was back on the pitch after a long time. This is just the beginning.”
Wednesday night was the first time in FC Cincinnati’s history that three players 20 or younger played for the club in a match. Amaya, Bailey and Barreal all recently turned 20.
What comes next
The Orange and Blue have a quick turnaround and host Toronto FC on Sunday night at Nippert Stadium. It’ll be the first meeting between the teams in 2020, and it’ll jumpstart FCC’s five-game homestand.
There are seven games remaining in the regular season.
