FC Cincinnati will play its second of two road matches in the span of a week with a trip to Geodis Park to face Nashville SC.
THE OPPOSITION
Since the hiring of former USMNT assistant and interim manager B.J. Callaghan, the Coyotes have had a mostly balanced record. They’ve won twice out of his six matches in charge, with one draw and three losses.
Their previous match was a 1-0 win over the Chicago Fire, their second in a row. It saw an early goal by Sam Surridge and a defensive display to ward off any responses. Despite being outshot and having a sliver of possession, it was another promising performance under their new manager.
The Coyotes’ biggest strength is their defense. Walker Zimmerman, Jack Maher, Lukas MacNaughton and Josh Bauer have led them to a respectable 44 goals conceded in 29 games. It is respectable because out of all the bottom half teams in this conference, they have conceded the second least goals—only Atlanta themselves have let in less.
Ironically enough, the offense is their biggest weakness. They have scored the least amount of goals in the Eastern Conference, with 29 in 29 games. Hany Mukhtar hasn’t performed as phenomenal as before and Sam Surridge hasn’t always played as a striker like previously expected. That is their only attacking firepower since Tyler Boyd’s season-ending injury.
Their style will ideally embody that of the USMNT’s style in their brief time under Callaghan. Many commented on how it was pleasing to watch and more attacking-minded than Berhalterball. The result, however, is that they’ve been outshot in four of his six matches in charge and haven’t usually dominated possession.
Nonetheless, they seem to have caught form, and there is no better time to do so than now. How they perform in this stretch run will decide whether or not they make the playoffs for a fifth-straight season.
THE ORANGE & BLUE
The Orange & Blue played to a mostly convincing 2-1 result on Wednesday against Minnesota United. They dominated in the first half with goals by Yuya Kubo and Luca Orellano and defended for the second half against everyone in their opponent’s offense. It was a far cry from the 7-1 loss they suffered there in 2019.
The disappointing loss to Miami looks less like a massive slip-up and more like a wake-up call. After the strong performances put forth against Columbus and Minnesota, the Orange & Blue look ready for the last six matches of the season. Noonan has once again instilled confidence in this team.
The attack has been connected, with Kevin Kelsy, Kubo, and Orellano consistently putting together impressive performances. It won’t be long before Lucho returns to form and Niko Gioacchini becomes accustomed to the team.
Their away form has been impeccable. They are the only club in MLS to have ten road wins—the only other total that is closest is Miami’s nine. They are just a few points away from breaking the record for most away points in a league season.
All of these make them the expected winner of this match, but it will be tough. Both sides are very familiar with one another, but they have lost seven out of 15 matches against the Coyotes. One could argue that they are a favorable opponent for the Coyotes, as their last match against them was a 2-0 upset at home.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Hany Mukhtar is unsurprisingly Nashville’s player to watch. In the Callaghan era, he will still be expected to be their phenom as he was since arriving. He has scored a goal and an assist in his past two matches, proving that he can still make a difference in their pivotal last few matches. He also still has yet to score a goal against Cincinnati, so he is more than due.
Yuya Kubo is Cincinnati’s player to watch. This season he has netted 11 goals and an assist, making it his most productive for the club thus far. It was his goal and assist three days ago in Minnesota that gave them the victory. He has become an offensive piece for Noonan that is capable of both link-up play and finishing, and that will be useful in stretch matches like this one.
WHAT TO EXPECT
It is likely that Cincinnati will win this match. For one, they are objectively the better team, and for two, they have become much more accustomed to away matches than home matches. It will be an upset if they lose.
But that isn’t to say that Nashville would go down without a fight. There is animosity between the two clubs and their fanbases, due to their storied past as members of the USL. Every match between these two has been a tough battle.
You can expect a good result for Cincinnati if things go as anticipated, but it will be the usual match against a familiar foe. The head-to-head record is 3-5-7, with many matches ending in a draw.
It is yet to be seen how, or if, these two sides rotate their squads. Having to play three matches in the span of a week can force rotations, so it is possible that some will be made.
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