With the world’s biggest international soccer blockbuster on the horizon, the Orange & Blue have one more match before the next chapter can be written. As tempting it would be to turn the page already, this weekend’s opponent may prove to be harder to read.
FC Cincinnati (4-5-5, 17 pts.) has one last clash before the World Cup, hosting an Orlando City SC squad that has returned to some sort of stabilized form. Orlando (4-2-8, 14 pts.) has survived a shaky start to the season, but the team still looks to perform better on the road before the break.
Despite performing well in O-Town over the past few seasons, Cincinnati returns to TQL Stadium to face a squad they have only beaten once at home in seven tries. Last season, Kevin Denkey scored in the 73rd minute to establish a late lead, only for Alex Freeman to pop an unmarked header past Roman Celentano in added time. The 1-1 draw dimmed Cincinnati’s late-season run to capture a second Supporters’ Shield.
Both teams are lurking around the middle of the Eastern Conference table after some late-match drama in both matches last weekend. While Cincinnati had to draw up a miracle goal in extra time to draw 3-3 at San Diego, Orlando watched their own win in MLS play vanish from a late equalizer in a 1-1 draw against Atlanta.
ORLANDO CITY SC
The “Wingless” Lions to the south were the first to sack their head coach in 2026, parting ways with Oscar Pareja after only three matches, all losses. Orlando lost their first three road matches to New York City, Nashville, and LAFC by a combined 16-0 before finding a road point against Columbus.
So far, Orlando has one of the worst road records to start the season, losing five of seven away matches. However, their lone win was a thrilling come-from-behind 4-3 victory at Inter Miami, indicating that their demise may have been exaggerated.
While the team has been in need of morale, the offense has been returning to better graces. Forward Martin Ojeda has scored nine goals in 14 matches for Orlando, including a hat trick in the aforementioned Miami match. Meanwhile, right back Griffin Dorsey, obtained in a transfer from Houston in February, has scored in three straight matches across all competitions, including the match decider in a 4-1 win over Atlanta United in U.S. Open Cup play this week.
The defense remains the issue at hand in Orlando. Goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau, obtained over the offseason as the replacement for the departing Pedro Gallese, has not registered a clean sheet in 13 matches and has conceded 32 goals, the most in MLS play this season. The departure of veteran Rodrigo Schlegel has also taxed the center back depth, forcing interim head coach Martin Perelman to lean on a Back-Three formation.
THE ORANGE AND BLUE
FC Cincinnati has gotten into the habit of digging themselves out of their own troubles, escaping with points that may or may not have been deserved. FCC have scored six times after the 90th minute this season, rescuing seven points in the process.
Their latest magic act was a 3-3 thriller at San Diego, salvaging the wreckage from a late San Diego goal with an immediate counteracting goal from Tom Barlow at the whistle.
Barlow has proved to be an essential second striker and bench presence for Cincinnati. The Wisconsin grad has scored four goals in 14 regular season matches, already eclipsing his totals from last season with Chicago.
The defense’s inability to stay healthy has made the offense perform on overdrive, but there is some news on the horizon that some defending help is returning. Head coach Pat Noonan announced that Andrei Chirila has passed through concussion protocol from an injury during the Inter Miami match. Defender Alvas Powell should also be available from his own leg injury.
The availability of Miles Robinson might not be so clear. The defender and candidate for a callup for the USMNT World Cup squad left Saturday’s matchup at halftime with a knock. Robinson is listed as “day to day”.
Nick Hagglund also took a knock in the match on Saturday, but he should be okay for Saturday. Teenage Hadebe still has not met his potential return timeline and will be unavailable.
Predicted lineup:
Due to the upcoming World Cup, it is hard to gauge how available Noonan may want to make certain players. Pavel Bucha has been named to the initial roster for Czechia’s pre-tournament friendlies, and both Robinson and Roman Celentano could be considered for the USMNT roster.
However, with this being the final match before the two-month hiatus, some players may be used to their fullest, while minutes could be distributed amongst the recovering defending line.
Orlando City might look to be equally conservative with some players. Braian Ojeda (Paraguay), Maxime Crepeau (Canada), and Marco Pašalić (Croatia) may see their minutes balanced in the process.
Match Info
Where: TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
When: Saturday, May 23rd at 7:30 p.m.
Watch: Apple+
Listen: ESPN 1530 iHeart Radio w/ Tommy Gelehrter and Kevin McCloskey
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