After a difficult loss in Philadelphia, FC Cincinnati have a short turnaround to host Charlotte FC. The Garys have lost the last two matches they played by a combined score of 0-9 (the DC United match from last Saturday was postponed due to weather conditions).
FCC has scored 13 goals and allowed 19 since the World Cup break. In the meantime, Charlotte has scored 18 and allowed 10 in that same timeframe. With the fan base getting restless, there will be intense pressure to perform well in front of the home crowd. Will they be able to deliver?
Charlotte FC
Charlotte arrives at TQL in the best form of anyone in this rivalry stretch. Dean Smith’s side is 5W-3D-1L since the World Cup break. Their Wednesday’s 2-1 win over CF Montreal was more comfortable than the scoreline suggests. Charlotte produced an xG of 1.78 to Montreal’s 1.23 on the road against a caretaker-managed opponent. The win extends a broader pattern under Smith, now in his third season and signed through 2027, who has built a team with a settled tactical identity.
Charlotte FC plays a consistent 4-2-3-1, with a confident and direct press forward. Smith’s men prefer to take the initiative and impose their style on the opponent rather than sitting back and reacting to what they do. Their fullbacks push high in an overlapping role with quick vertical passing designed to break lines rather than patient buildup.
The front three of Liel Abada (4 goals, 5 assists), Idan Toklomati (8 goals, 2 assists), and Allan Saint-Maximin (2 assists) are empowered to attack space and impose the game on opponents rather than react to them. Midfielder Pep Biel (11 goals, 7 assists) normally anchors the double pivot underneath with Ashley Westwood, giving the team both control and a platform to spring those forward runs. However, Westwood will be serving his second match in a two-match suspension due to yellow-card accumulation and a red card against Houston.
Health-wise, Charlotte is in solid shape apart from one long-term absence. Left-back Harry Toffolo remains out with a hamstring injury, limiting Smith’s options at left back/wingback. However, the rest of the core has mostly stayed intact and in rhythm, and Saint-Maximin played through a minor injury scare last week without missing time. Given the form, system continuity, and largely healthy group, Charlotte should carry real confidence into Saturday.
Orange and Blue
In contrast with Charlotte, FC Cincinnati seem to be taking steps backwards.
They enter Saturday reeling from a 5-0 defeat to Philadelphia in which they posted a stunning 0.02 xG against Philly’s 3.61. In the process, they conceded two penalties and are now tied for the lead MLS in penalties committed (seven). That’s a performance that raises real questions about the team’s structure and discipline heading into a home match they badly need to stabilize.
The defense has been an issue all season long and has now conceded 56 goals while scoring 49. That also includes a match in hand due to last Saturday’s weather postponement against D.C. United.
The absences for this match will only compound the problem. Obinna Nwobodo picked up a red card against Philadelphia and will miss Saturday’s match, removing FCC’s defensive-midfield shield. Evander picked up his fifth yellow card and is also out, removing FCC’s creative hub.
Both losses come on top of the earlier departure of Matt Miazga, their most experienced center back. Pat Noonan is left to navigate three key absences at defensive mid, creative attacking mid, and veteran center back. On top of that, their new acquisitions in Czech midfielder David Douděra and Argentine defender Julián Malatini are still not ready to join the squad officially and make their debut. This will leave a very thin bench against a team with a consistent core all season.
If Cincinnati needs an X-factor, it will likely come on offense. Forward Kévin Denkey hasn’t found the net since the Hell is Real match on July 26th. He has struggled both inside the box and in receiving plays in favorable positions within the box.
FCC has scored just four goals in the last five matches played. Their xG since the World Cup break is 1.52 for and 2.02 against. With a leaky defense, a suspended midfield anchor, no obvious creative outlet, a striker searching for form, and a shallow bench, FCC’s path to controlling this match, let alone winning it, looks genuinely uncertain, even with home-field advantage at TQL.
MATCH INFO
Who: FC Cincinnati (8-7-8, 31 pts.) vs Charlotte FC (11-6-7, 39 pts.)
When: Saturday September 12th, 7:30 pm
Where: TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
Watch: Apple TV+
Listen: iHeart Media ESPN 1530 (English), La Mega Cincinnati 101.5 FM (Spanish)
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