FC Cincinnati will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the MLS standings when they play host to Orlando City at the TQL Stadium on Saturday night.
The Lions have failed to win any of the last four meetings between the sides since October 2021 and will head into the weekend looking to end this poor run.
Match preview
© Reuters
Cincinnati maintained their 10-point lead at the top of the Major League Soccer table as they came from behind to pick up a 2-1 victory over Atlanta United on Thursday.
After falling behind to Edwin Mosquera's 10th-minute opener, Luciano Acosta and Brandon Vazquez found the target in the final 15 minutes of the game to complete an impressive comeback at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Prior to that, Pat Noonan's men were dumped out of the Leagues Cup in the semi-finals courtesy of a penalty-shootout loss to a Lionel Messi-led Inter Miami side on August 24, three days before picking up a 3-0 victory over New York City FC in MLS.
The Orange and Blue now return home, where they are one of just two MLS sides yet to suffer defeat this season, picking up an impressive 12 wins and one draw in their 13 matches so far.
Their last League defeat on home turf came last October, when they were beaten 3-2 by Chicago Fire, with Brian Gutierrez's 59th-minute effort and a second-half brace from Jhon Duran firing the Men in Red to all three points.
Cincinnati have now won 17 of their 26 league matches this season while losing three and picking up six draws to collect 57 points and sit at the summit of the MLS table, 10 points above second-placed St. Louis City.
© Reuters
Orlando City, on the other hand, turned in a resilient team performance last time out as they came from behind to snatch a late draw against Charlotte FC at the Bank of America Stadium.
With nothing to separate the sides heading into the final 10 minutes of the game, Enzo Copetti converted his 81st-minute penalty to put the Crown in front, but Orlando responded seven minutes later courtesy of a long-range strike from Martin Ojeda.
Orlando City were previously on a run of three back-to-back MLS victories, beating Atlanta United, Chicago Fire and St. Louis City respectively while scoring seven goals and conceding three in that time.
Oscar Pareja's men have now picked up 10 points from the last 12 available, with their last league defeat coming on July 9, when they were thrashed 4-0 by Real Salt Lake at the Rio Tinto Stadium.
With 44 points from 26 matches, Orlando City are currently third in the Eastern Conference table and Pareja will be impressed with his side's season as they find themselves well on course to reach the playoffs for a fourth straight year.
While the Lions will be looking to return to winning ways this weekend, next up is an opposing side who they have failed to get the better of in their last four meetings, losing twice and claiming two draws since a 1-0 victory in October 2021.
- W
- L
- L
- L
- W
- W
- W
- W
- L
- W
- W
- D
Team News
© Reuters
Cincinnati will be without the American duo of midfielder Stiven Jimenez and 30-year-old forward Dominique Badji, who have been sidelined through a leg fracture and muscle injury respectively.
Colombian defender Yerson Mosquera came off injured in the 2-1 loss against Nashville on August 5 and is set to sit out his fifth consecutive game.
They are joined on the club's injury table by 20-year-old forward Arquimides Ordonez, who has been out of action since July through a leg injury.
As for Orlando City, Pareja will be unable to call upon the services of experienced defender Antonio Carlos, who has missed the last three matches through a thigh problem.
Argentine striker Gaston Gonzalez has been sidelined since coming off injured against Philadelphia Union on June 18 and the 22-year-old is out of contention for the Lions.
FC Cincinnati possible starting lineup:
Celentano; Hagglund, Miazga, Murphy; Halsey, Nwobodo, Acosta, Kubo, Barreal; Vazquez, Santos
Orlando City possible starting lineup:
Gallese; Thorhallsson, Schlegel, Jansson, Santo; Araujo, Urso; Torres, Pereyra, Enrique; McGuire
We say: FC Cincinnati 2-1 Orlando City
Orlando City have put together a fine run of form in the league but will expect a sterner challenge against a rampant Cincinnati side. The Orange and Blue have made their home turf a fortress this season and it is difficult seeing Pareja's side leaving the TQL Stadium with anything this weekend.
How to watch
You can watch FC Cincinnati vs. Orlando City and every MLS match this season live on Apple TV. Click here for more details on how to subscribe.For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
