FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan is striving for consistency from his gamers after confirming their place within the MLS playoffs.
Noonan’s aspect have been held to a goalless draw in opposition to Leagues Cup champions Columbus Crew however have now gone two residence video games and not using a victory or scoring a aim.
Whereas securing their spot within the playoffs was one thing the Orange and Blue may have solely dreamed of some years in the past, Noonan’s future ambitions for his workforce overshadowed any celebrations.
“It’s laborious to do, and we try for consistency, and consistency for our group and our expectations is to be a playoff workforce after which be a prime seed and be taking part in video games at residence within the playoffs,” Noonan mentioned.
“I feel we go into this subsequent sport as wholesome and with as many choices as we now have had. The aim for us must be to take care of that over this ultimate stretch in order that we will have consistency with our choice and with our beginning 11.
“However I feel if we wish to have a powerful finish to the season and have a powerful playoff run, it must be with gamers obtainable in depth and competitors in our squad. Definitely, that’ll be necessary.”
Secured our spot. pic.twitter.com/ePo8B3oilb
— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) September 15, 2024
Minnesota, in the meantime, did their probabilities of reaching the playoffs the world of fine with a powerful 3-1 victory over in-form St. Louis Metropolis of their final MLS fixture.
The Loons overcame Cedric Teuchert’s third minute opener to stay ninth within the Western Convention desk, bridging the hole between themselves and FC Dallas one place beneath them.
Head coach Eric Ramsay lauded his aspect’s show in breaking down St. Louis’ resolute defence, and detailed how his gamers plan to assault the ultimate video games of the season to stay within the playoff image.
“We wish to be a workforce that may shift between numerous shapes in keeping with the conditions we anticipate coming, in keeping with the gamers that we’ve received in type and obtainable,” Ramsay mentioned.
“We wish to be, in the end, an aggressive workforce, we wish to be a workforce that may press, can have extra of the ball, can steal the ball larger up [the field].
“If you find yourself taking part in in a again 5, that isn’t as simple because it seems to be typically on paper.”
Dub secured. pic.twitter.com/IG7a8v9UFy
— Minnesota United FC (@MNUFC) September 15, 2024
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Minnesota United – Bongokuhle Hlongwane
Hlongwane’s strike in opposition to St. Louis final trip was his tenth aim of the season for Minnesota.
In doing so, he grew to become the fifth totally different Loons participant to document a double-digit scoring season and the third within the final three years.
FC Cincinnati – Luciano Acosta
Having struggled in entrance of aim of their latest MLS fixtures, prime scorer and captain Acosta might be key for Cincinnati at Allianz Area.
However the Argentine comes up in opposition to a aspect he has failed to attain in opposition to in his MLS profession, with Minnesota certainly one of solely seven groups he’s but to web previous.
MATCH PREDICTION: FC CINCINNATI WIN
Cincinnati gained their final match in opposition to the Loons in Might. However Minnesota have been unbeaten within the first 4 conferences between the perimeters (W3 D1), outscoring Cincinnati, 10-1, in these video games.
Nonetheless, Cincinnati have now misplaced consecutive common season away matches after shedding solely certainly one of their earlier 16 on the street in league play (W12 D3). That is Cincinnati’s first set of back-to-back common season away losses for the reason that begin of the 2022 marketing campaign.
However the Loons have struggled at Allianz Area, shedding 4 of their final 5 regular-season residence matches. Previous to this run, that they had misplaced simply 4 of their earlier 27 video games on residence soil relationship again to April 2023.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Minnesota United – 31.9%
Draw – 25.4%
FC Cincinnati – 42.7%