After a whirlwind comeback against NYCFC to top the group, FC Cincinnati avoided the “quadrant of death” and will face Santos Laguna. It is a match in the Round of 32 of this summer’s Leagues Cup.
THE OPPOSITION
Santos Laguna, like Queretaro, has had a lackluster season. They too are winless through their four matches played in Liga MX — and haven’t won a match since March. They haven’t even scored a goal in four matches.
In their group stage of the tournament, they lost 0-3 to DC and narrowly beat Atlanta in a 5-3 penalty shootout.
Ignacio “Nacho” Ambríz is their manager. He has managed many clubs across Mexico in a career lasting over twenty years, including Chivas, Club America and León. He was even the assistant manager at Atlético Madrid and managed at Huesca for just a season.
The style of Ambríz’s teams has been called “offensive and creative.” He has a legacy as one of the best managers in his league, and is known for getting the best out of sides that aren’t highly investive.
Their usual formation involves a back four, but it varies in its exact structure. They have mostly used a 4-2-3-1, and they have also played in a 4-1-4-1 or a 4-3-3.
In the league season thus far, they’ve averaged a goal every 360 minutes. This amounts to 0.25 per match, and they concede 1.5 a match. Their possession average is at 50 percent, so they aren’t too wasteful when holding the ball.
THE ORANGE & BLUE
The Orange & Blue have done quite well thus far in this tournament. They got past a three-match losing streak to win the group stage and look like they may be reaching form again.
Awaziem’s addition to the backline has been immensely helpful; with Robinson alongside him, the defense looks to be organized now. They even scored four goals in their last match without Lucho Acosta, who will hopefully feature in the match following a couple of matches away due to an ankle injury.
Leagues Cup has been criticized, but whatever stance you take on it, this is an opportunity for the club to prepare itself for a knockout match. They haven’t played in one since last season’s devastating loss to Columbus. If they want to make a deeper run in the playoffs, they must acclimate themselves to matches where they have to win.
They are once again playing an unfamiliar opponent, and there is always a sense of difficulty in matches like this. But in spite of their recent issues in the league and the temporary loss of Lucho, they’ve done quite well.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Franco Fagundez is Santos Laguna’s player to watch. He created the most chances (four) in their last match and will need to mimic such playmaking in this must-win game. Not having scored a goal or an assist on the season will motivate him to do so.
Yamil Asad is Cincinnati’s player to watch. He has had four goals and five assists in his 18 matches, and with his two Leagues Cup goals, is tied for the Golden Boot. He came through when Lucho was absent.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Santos Laguna have found themselves in the knockout stage. They realize how lucky they are to have done so, and they’ll be looking to earn every result and bounce back from a rough past few months. This tournament is a way for clubs to do this.
Cincinnati, potentially in-form again, will be back at TQL and ready to advance. They now have Lucho Acosta and DeAndre Yedlin who have returned to training from their respective injuries. A deep run is a real possibility.
It is a chance to boost confidence in both of their league campaigns, and a “rehearsal” for the knockout matches to come.
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