FC Cincinnati took to the nation’s capital on Saturday night to face a struggling DC United in search of three important points to keep themselves firmly in the race for the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
DC United had only been able to come away with 6 points in 7 games, so this felt like a great opportunity for FC Cincinnati, who is in great form of late, to come away with a win. It’s never easy though in the MLS and the orange and blue found that out in this game.
Head coach Pat Noonan continues to work around injuries to star players and started the game like this..
Obviously some big names are missing from this lineup. Evander, who leads the team with four goals, continues to miss time with a knee injury. Yuya Kubo also continues to miss time with a leg injury. Obinna Nwobodo was a game-time decision with a leg injury, but Pat Noonan didn’t want to risk anything so Nwobodo did not make the team last night. Defender Teenage Hadebe, who is also battling a leg injury is still, “a couple weeks away” according to Pat Noonan.
Despite all of these big names missing from FC Cincinnati’s lineup, the orange and blue came out fighting against DC United.
FC Cincinnati would strike first in the 28th minute on an incredible goal from 20 year old Gerardo Valenzuela.
That goal by Valenzuela was the American’s first goal of the season and his second with FC Cincinnati. It would also help the orange and blue take a 1-0 lead into the half.
The second half was a defensive masterpiece from FC Cincinnati. They were constantly under pressure from DC United and they didn’t blink.
DC United out-shot, out-possessed and created more corners in the second half than FC Cincinnati. The orange and blue’s defense did not break though. The back five for FC Cincinnati were fantastic, led by Miles Robinson, who was also battling a leg injury coming into this game.
That is as good as it gets from a defender. The speed to get back and recover. The clean tackle in the box. Absolutely excellent work there from Miles Robinson.
Because of defensive effort like that, FC Cincinnati would hold on to defeat DC United 1-0 and earn three big points.
Potentially even bigger news for FC Cincinnati was the return of defender Matt Miazga, who suffered a bad knee injury and missed all of last season. Miazga hadn’t played in 301 days, until last night.
It’s good to see the 2023 MLS Defender of the Year back on the field. Hopefully he can continue to work himself back into the starting eleven.
This win was a tough, gritty, defensive performance from FC Cincinnati. Yes, it was against a team who came into the game in bad form, but to go on the road and walk away with all three points in the MLS is not an easy feat.
FC Cincinnati will be back on the road next Saturday as they travel to Chicago to take on the Fire at 8:30 pm at Soldier Field. Going into this game the Fire currently sit in 9th place in the Eastern Conference.
Hopefully we can see a completely healthy FC Cincinnati lineup soon. I think this team can and will compete for the MLS Cup, but you need your stars on the field.
Here’s to hoping FC Cincinnati can continue their good run of form next Saturday in Chicago.
Ohio Sports Radio 
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