After two months of the World Cup break, FC Cincinnati are finally back in action. It will be a challenge to start off the second half of the campaign, back in front of the home crowd against MLS Cup finalists Vancouver Whitecaps.
THE CAPS
The Whitecaps have continued their rise as one of the league’s most tactically disciplined and advanced teams. Under Jesper Sorensen, they will dictate the tempo by holding possession when necessary, but they will also break quickly when they see the opportunity. This pragmatic approach resembles many of the top European sides. They are also resemblant in their defensive approach, as they are one of the most aggressively pressing teams in the league.
The main theme in the market was retaining the group that brought them through the playoffs and bolstering the fringes of the squad. Their only significant departures came on the wings, with Jayden Nelson being traded to Austin FC and breakout star Ali Ahmed getting a move to Norwich in the Championship. As for additions, they traded with Colorado for midfield backup in Oliver Larraz, added MLS journeyman Az Jackson on loan, and replenished the winger supply with young Ecuadorian Bruno Caicedo and Cheikh Sabaly, a Senegalese winger who had played for Metz in France.
They have picked up right where they left off in their second year under Sorensen. Through 14 matches, they have maintained a strong record of 10 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses. They sit at the summit of the Western Conference with those 32 points and are tied with Bruce Arena’s San Jose (who have played one more match).
They were in hot form to start the campaign, which has only got hotter along the way. Their first loss of the young season came against San Jose on March 21, but they have only lost once in the nine matches they’ve played since. They took 23 points out of a possible 27 in that spell.
Their final match before the break was a high-scoring 4-2 win over San Diego. Brian White had an incredible performance, netting a brace and assisting his team for their two others. The scoreline was closer than it appeared as Vancouver were up 4-1 before a stoppage time consolation goal by San Diego.
It is safe to say that this Vancouver Whitecaps team is still essentially the same one from 2025, only more experienced and cohesive. If the last year and a half have taught us anything about their trajectory, they are the favorites against almost any team.
THE ORANGE & BLUE
The Orange & Blue seemed to unlock their potential in attack, but they sacrificed a lot of stability at the back to do so. A defensive trio of Matt Miazga, Samuel Gidi, and Andrei Chirila has allowed them to be better in build-up, but it is admittedly weaker when two of them, who aren’t center backs by trade, have to defend the goal.
They ended the break on a high note with a 6-2 rout over Orlando City, tying the most goals they’ve scored in a league fixture. Evander had his best performance yet in Orange & Blue, netting a brace and a hat-trick of assists. Kenji Mboma Dem kept up his impressive start to life in MLS with a brace, Kevin Denkey found the net near the end, and even Tom Barlow’s ten-minute cameo came with a goal.
Still, the note wasn’t as high when you keep in mind that two goals hit the back of their net. Their form heading into the break was also anything but stable, with two wins, two draws, and a loss—in all of those matches, they conceded more than once.
In the two months since, there has been much preparation in training, and even two international friendlies in short succession to regain match fitness. Their first was a 3-1 victory over historic yet heavily rotated English club Burnley and a 5-0 thumping of Honduran giants CD Olimpia. There is a lot of optimism that this time has been used to regroup and bounce back.
All players are expected to be healthy and available for selection. The only slight doubt was with Bryan Ramirez, who has since recovered from some discomfort.
Unless there has been a collective defensive epiphany, the Orange & Blue will have to rely on their high-flying attack against a team as put together as the Whitecaps. One main concern will be their opponent’s willingness to press high and hard; that has always caused problems in recent years and could be disastrous if they can’t play through it.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Cincinnati’s player to watch is Kenji Mboma Dem. In a fast-paced match like this, he will be needed to tirelessly work and stretch the pitch—a role he has filled since being fully implemented from the reserves. He has three goals in his two league starts to boot.
Vancouver’s player to watch is Sebastian Berhalter. He will be eager to hit the ground running in his homecoming from the USMNT’s World Cup campaign. He will be expected to reprise his role as a metronome in the middle, and as usual, it will be crucial to his team’s success.
PREDICTED LINEUP:
MATCH INFO:
WHERE: TQL Stadium
WHEN: Wednesday, June 22nd, 7:30 PM
WATCH: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+
LISTEN: ESPN 1530 iHeart Radio w/ Tommy Gelehrter and Kevin McCloskey
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