D.C. United are looking for another win on the road against FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium. As for the Orange and Blue? They’re undefeated at home.
While the Black-and-Red are riding high on a prolonged win streak, having put in a 3-0 stunner against Charlotte FC last week, Cincinnati looks to shake off a 1-1 draw with New England Revolution.
Pat Noonan’s men are ones to beat, sitting at second in the MLS Eastern Conference Standings – just behind New England. Wayne Rooney knows this evening will be a test for the Black-and-Red. He told the media, “We know we’re in for a very difficult game… it’s a challenge for us. We’ve prepared for it. We know how we’re going to play. We know what our game plan is.”
One major sticking point? Rooney and the Black-and-Red will look to mitigate slow starts similar to last week’s against Charlotte. He explained, “I think for 25 to 30 minutes, we won the ball back, and we lost the ball within two or three passes, and we didn’t retain the ball at all. So that was very frustrating. I think, really, after 30 minutes, then we started to keep the ball a little bit more, and be a bit more patient with it and connect a few more passes which then it’s not coincidental. Once we’ve done that, we started getting into more advanced areas and dangerous areas and causing more problems. So yeah, it was a strange start for us and something that’s happened a few times now during the season. So we have to improve and make sure we try not to let that happen again.”
Let us know what you think ahead of tonight’s match. Will the Black-and-Red snag three more points on the road?
Hear more of what head coach Wayne Rooney had to say here.
Key Player: Christian Benteke
What more can we say about Christian Benteke that hasn’t already been said in every other match preview? Benteke is simply the real deal. If last week’s bicycle doesn’t have you convinced, nothing will. He’s talented, dangerous on the pitch, and a source of positivity for the Black-and-Red. We love watching him play and are looking forward to seeing him continue to shine this season.
Watch Out For: Lucho Acosta and Yerson Mosquera
Acosta is intimately familiar with the workings of D.C. United, having played many seasons in Black-and-Red himself. He was Wayne Rooney’s partner on the pitch, one half of the infamous “LuchaRoo” that guaranteed a good time for D.C. United fans. Since his move to Cincinnati, Acosta hasn’t let off the gas. As for Mosquera, the defender was just named to MLS Team of the Matchday for his performance in Week 10. He not only scored the opening goal of last week’s match against New England but he’s also tied with Matt Miazga to lead the team in tackles.
Challenges: The Orange and Blue have a perfect record at home and look to remain unbeaten at TQL Stadium. While the Black-and-Red are in search of a third road win and to keep their win streak alive.
Previously: Last season was a mixed bag, with each team winning their away match. The Black-and-Red went 1-0, cashing in on an Ola Kamara penalty at the death to win in March of 2022. The Orange and Blue rocked D.C. United with a 5-2 Lucho Acosta-led goal fest in October.
FC Cincinnati Availability:
Out: Santiago Arias (thigh), Arquimides Ordoñez (international duty – GUA)
D.C. United Availability:
Out: Nigel Robertha (ankle), Martín Rodríguez (knee), Pedro Santos (thigh), Steve Birnbaum (hip)
Location: TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
Kickoff time:7:30 pm ET
Referee: Guido Gonzales Jr
Available streaming: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Here we go!
Dajome on the bench, will be interesting to see if and where he plays. It’s my take that he’s an athletic forward option, but if he gets some minutes (likely for Najar) at wingback, we’ll get a better idea about this curious signing.
Big test! Cincy hasn’t been scoring many goals this season but their defense has made it so they don’t need to. One goal may be enough for either side today. Gonna be a fight for the full 90. Vamos!
Wow, just like that, Najar is out of the lineup, and Ruan is in. Hope Andy is good for the future, sounds like injuries
Definitely something I’d like to find out. Hoping he is okay!
Looks like Andy has an issue with his calf that became apparent during warmups (as per Rooney in the presser).
Damn, wish Greene hadn’t gotten that yellow
Same here!
Solid first half. Both teams had their share of chances but none were golden opportunities.
As much as I miss Acosta’s playmaking abilities, his attitude and petulance are things are I certainly don’t. A different ref could’ve easily sent him off there at the end.
Good half of football. Took a bit to grow into the game. Pretty organized defensively outside a few very sloppy mistakes. Deeper line of confrontation than last week, but that makes sense on the road and against the likes of Acosta and Vazquez that can really punish a team out of position and on the counter. Some solid counter-pressing in the last fifteen minutes.
Solid number of chances, actually more than the past few weeks. Reasonably DC’s prolific finishing rate hasn’t been sustained, but if they can create as many chances as they did this half that will be okay.
Overall this should be a much bigger test than any of the last three weeks. Especially given injuries. Need another strong 45 minutes.
Seems like once again, we struggle to get started, but haven’t broken early, and grow into the game by the end of the first. So, right on schedule, maybe?
Well, might have to miss the rest of the game, Apple TV on my computer is now a bad gateway no matter what I attempt
No one at the near post and Cincy capitalize on the corner. 1-0 to the home team.
Not loving the fact we missed Acosta’s goal live due to production 🙃
On the bright side of things OGDC scored a try and converted it right at the death of the 1st half. Plus they didn’t allow Dallas to do anything while down a man for a yellow. So right now at half OGDC is up 7-3 down in Dallas.
And OGDC is on a severe weather delay.
Miller beat near post by Barreal. Great strike, but should’ve been saved in my opinion.
Should have never been a shot from that angle. No pressure on the ball. DC have numbers, two defenders against one player making the most straighforward run ever. Those are two of the easiest goals CIN will score all year. Game of moments.
I don’t see us coming back. Lloyd Sam is right Dajome and Greene are nothing like Najar, Ruan nor Santos for whipping in crosses to Benteke.
TAXI!! That was a flick on from Miazga.
Taxi makes things interesting here! 2-1 in the 90th minute!
What was that VAR check for?
Cincy have been wasting time. Their keeper got carded for wasting time. Yet they are asking the ref to blow the whistle at 96’. Hilarious.
Not to mention that minute or two for whatever that mystery VAR check was.
Yet another MLS official who has no control over a game. Let the stadium pressure him into blowing the whistle.
A couple real bad defensive misques cost DC tonight. Beat themselves. Not the most compelling performance from CIN, but good teams find ways to win on off nights.
Maybe I’m biased, but Cincy don’t look like the tied for best team in the East. DC could’ve easily won or at least tied this game. Cincy were desperate towards the end and were on the back foot for decent portions of this match. DC had a fine game aside from two fixable mistakes and several careless giveaways. DC will be fine. I feel much better after this loss than I did after the second Columbus loss.
Agreed, esepcially the last sentence.
If the OGDC game is abandoned as one half has been completed then the result will stand and OGDC will win 7-3. Every time a lightning strike is within 6 miles the 30 min weather delay clock restarts.
OGDC match has been abandoned due to lightning. OGDC win 7-3 and its their first away win. They really could’ve used a bonus point win tonight though for standings purposes and playoff positioning. OGDC has the hardest remaining schedule based on strength of schedule.