FC Cincinnati will aim to overtake Inter Miami at the top of MLS Eastern Conference when they face St Louis City on Wednesday.
FC Cincinnati will welcome St. Louis City to TQL Stadium on Saturday, looking to extend their impressive run of form and climb to the top of the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference standings. The hosts are currently second in their division, having secured five consecutive league victories, while the visitors sit ninth in the Western Conference after a recent defeat.
The home side have been in exceptional form this season, emerging as one of the front-runners in the Eastern Conference. After a solid start, winning three and drawing three of their first six matches, the Orange and Blue faced a setback with back-to-back defeats to New York Red Bulls and CF Montreal in April. However, Pat Noonan’s side bounced back impressively, securing five straight wins.
Their winning streak began with a 2-1 victory over Atlanta United, followed by another 2-1 win against Colorado Rapids. A narrow 1-0 triumph at Orlando City and a 2-1 win at Columbus Crew, thanks to goals from Kevin Kelsy and Luciano Acosta, further bolstered their confidence. Most recently, they defeated Atlanta United again, with Kelsy scoring the decisive goal in the opening 10 minutes.
This hot streak has propelled FC Cincinnati to second place in the Eastern Conference, trailing leaders Inter Miami only on goal difference. They also boast a ten-point lead over the eighth-place team in the playoff race, positioning themselves strongly for a top finish.
St. Louis City, on the other hand, are aiming to bounce back after a midweek defeat and improve their playoff prospects in the Western Conference. After a successful debut season last year, where they won the Western Conference but exited early in the playoffs, Bradley Carnell’s side has had a mixed start this term. They have accumulated 16 points from 12 matches, demonstrating their resilience with only two defeats so far.
Despite their relative solidity, St. Louis City have faced challenges, particularly in their recent 2-0 home loss to Los Angeles FC. Following a 3-1 victory over Chicago Fire, where Rasmus Alm and Joao Klauss starred, they struggled against the reigning champions, with Denis Bouanga scoring twice for LAFC. This result leaves St. Louis City ninth in the Western Conference, occupying the final wildcard spot.
The Missouri outfit has a chance to move back into the top seven if they can end FC Cincinnati’s winning streak on Saturday. With a two-point gap to close, they will be eager to return to winning ways and strengthen their playoff aspirations. The Hard Tackle delves into the potential elevens and tactics for this highly-anticipated clash.
Team News & Tactics
FC Cincinnati
Pat Noonan is expected to stick with the starting XI that secured a 1-0 victory over Atlanta United as FC Cincinnati prepare to face St. Louis City at TQL Stadium. Despite injury concerns, Noonan’s side has been in stellar form, and the manager appears set to rely on the same lineup that has brought recent success.
Defenders DeAndre Yedlin and Alvas Powell remain sidelined with injuries, along with attackers Corey Baird and Aaron Boupendza, all of whom are still in the treatment room. Despite these absences, FC Cincinnati has managed to maintain a strong defensive unit.
In recent weeks, the back three of Ian Murphy, Matt Miazga, and Miles Robinson have provided solid protection in front of goalkeeper Roman Celentano. This defensive trio has been instrumental in maintaining clean sheets, including their recent shutout against Atlanta United. Noonan is expected to retain them in his 3-4-1-2 formation.
Obinna Nwobodo and Pavel Bucha will form the central midfield duo, with Luca Orellano and Yuya Kubo providing the width on the flanks. Luciano Acosta should don the number 10’s role, with Gerardo Valenzuela and Kevin Kelsy leading the line.
Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2): Celentano; Murphy, Miazga, Robinson; Orellano, Bucha, Nwobodo, Kubo; Acosta; Valenzuela, Kelsy
St Louis City SC
St. Louis will travel to Ohio to face FC Cincinnati without several key players. Defender Anthony Markanich is set to miss the match due to suspension after receiving a second yellow card in their recent loss to Los Angeles FC. Additionally, the team will be without Eduard Lowen and Joshua Yaro, who remain sidelined with injuries.
The visitors should line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Roman Bürki in goal. He should be protected by the quartet of Tomas Totland, Tim Parker, Joakim Nilsson, and Nikolas Dyhr.
Chris Durkin and Tomas Ostrak should hold the fort in the central midfield, with the trio of Rasmus Alm, Indiana Vassilev, and Celio Pompeu pushing forward. Joao Klauss should act as the focal point in the attack.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Burki; Totland, Parker, Nilsson, Dyhr; Durkin, Ostrak; Alm, Vassilev, Pompeu; Klauss
Ways to Watch
Key Stats
- FC Cincinnati have won eight games in MLS this season, joint most in the competition alongside Inter Miami.
- FC Cincinnati have conceded just ten goals this season, the least of any side in MLS.
- St. Louis have drawn seven games so far in MLS, the most of any side in the competition.
- A win on the night will see Cincinnati extend their winning streak in MLS to six games.
Player to Watch
Luciano Acosta
The 29-year-old should be the focal point of the Cincinnati attack and will once again aim to make a difference for the home side. Luciano Acosta crafted the winning goal for Kevin Kelsy on a platter against Atlanta United last time out and will hope to continue his purple patch of form.
With six goals and seven assists in 13 MLS games this season, he is the standout attacker for Cincinnati. St Louis are a better side than their position in the table shows and should Cincinnati come out oln top, Acosta is likely to play a big role.
Prediction
FC Cincinnati 2-0 St Louis City SC
FC Cincinnati have the opportunity to overtake Inter Miami and are also in a good run of form. They are heavy favourites, especially at home and will hope to dampen St Louis’s hopes of securing a wildcard spot. Thew visitors are likely to get stuck in but Cincinnati’s quality and strength in defence should see them through in the end.
