The past week was one where much happened off the pitch for FC Cincinnati fans. The actual pitch waits another week before use.
FC Cincinnati (8-7-7, 31 pts.) were unable to touch grass against D.C. United on Saturday. Unexpectedly heavy rainfall and poor pitch conditions forced the match to be postponed for a later date. Instead, the next competition shifts to the Keystone State, as the Orange & Blue travel to Philadelphia for their next away challenge.
The Union (7-6-10, 27 pts.) started the season bad enough to claim the head coach’s job. However, the momentum has swung since their return from the World Cup. Philadelphia capitalized off of second-half goals by Danley Jean Jacques and Cavan Sullivan to beat Montreal 2-0 on Saturday. The win puts the Union back over the ninth-place playoff line.
Cincinnati had a poor season against Philadelphia in 2025. The away tilt in March—a 4-1 loss in Chester—was an early sign that there were some issues on the road. Then-striker Tai Baribo torched Cincinnati with a hat trick, only for current striker Bruno Damiani to put a late cherry on top.
The later home leg for Cincinnati was no different, despite a red card to Philadelphia. Damiani scored early in the second half to account for the only score, a 1-0 result at TQL Stadium.
PHILADELPHIA UNION
The defending Supporters’ Shield holders will likely fail to repeat this season. However, the Union’s rebound off of a disastrous start is nothing short of impressive.
The signs to a shaky 2026 season were not unseen. The Union transferred Baribo to D.C. United in the offseason, giving the offensive keys to forwards Damiani and Milan Iloski. While Damiani has struggled to score (3 goals, 1 assist), Iloski has picked up the slack. The North Macedonian dual national has 11 goals and 6 assists in 23 matches so far, proving he was no flash in the pan with San Diego.
The defensive line also has undergone a facelift. Center back Jakob Glesnes left for L.A. Galaxy, while Olwethu Makhanya was dealt to Rangers over the summer. The line could have deteriorated further, but left back Kai Wagner has returned to the team after a half-season stint at Birmingham. Over eight matches, he has contributed four assists from the edge.
The poor start—10 losses in 15 matches to begin the season—spelled the end for head coach Bradley Carnell. Assistant coach Ryan Richter has taken the baton and could have the “interim” tag taken away soon. Since Carnell’s sacking at the World Cup break, Philadelphia has won six and drawn two over the last eight matches.
Now that Richter has taken control, wonderkid midfielder Cavan Sullivan has finally been allowed minutes for development with the first team. The 16-year-old leads the Union in assists (7) and has scored a goal in the last three matches.
THE ORANGE AND BLUE
The week off may have come at a good time for health and recalibration, but not from the perspective of a team needing to get results. Head coach Pat Noonan noted that the need to expend energy made the two training sessions leading up to Philadelphia a more vigorous effort. “I wouldn’t say (it was) normal. but we were able to have a training that we typically wouldn’t with the entire group, just to have a day where we pushed them, with losing the running that you get in the game.”
Some of the players who were scheduled to sit could be returning to the roster. Samuel Gidi cleared concussion protocol as of Tuesday and should be available for play. Kristian Fletcher also should be available after a slight setback with his knee.
However, the situation regarding Matt Miazga’s departure from the team does not appear to be fully cleared. According to Laurel Pfahler’s reporting, the final exit physical and goodbyes may have been completed, but the release is still pending.
Noonan remained quiet on the matter. “Yeah, I unfortunately can’t speak to it. Too many moving parts at the moment. But we will need guys to step up in terms of leadership, vocally.”
Gidi’s return will provide extra support for the back line, but there is evidence that Noonan may be leaning on Andrei Chirila and Kyle Smith to step into the remaining void as well. Both were scheduled to start against D.C. United before the pitch was deemed unplayable.
The biggest issue to figure out will be the Orange & Blue’s form on the road. Over the past two seasons, FCC has had one of the best away records, winning 11 road matches out of 17 in both 2024 and 2025. However, the trend has been completely opposite in 2026; Cincinnati have won only once in 11 matches, the come-from behind 3-2 win at Chicago in May. The goal differential is also concerning, as Cincinnati have a +10 differential at home and a -12 differential on the road, scoring 13 less goals on the road than at home.
The wingbacks may need to pull some weight before Czech midfielder David Doudera is able to fully join the squad. Noonan may opt to use Pavel Bucha on the right side again, as the starting lineup had hinted last Saturday. However, Doudera is training individually at Mercy Health, awaiting the work visa clearance.
Predicted lineup:
Not much from last week’s predicted (and actual) lineup should be different. If Noonan opts to play the hand that was already shown on Saturday, Andrei Chirila and Ayoub Jabbari should get vital starts during the congested schedule.
Match Info
Where: Subaru Park; Chester, PA
When: Wednesday, September 9th at 7:30 p.m.
Watch: Apple+
Listen: ESPN 1530 iHeart Radio w/ Tommy Gelehrter and Kevin McCloskey
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