FC Cincinnati vs. D.C. United: Preview, time, and how to watch
D.C. United hit the road again – though a bit closer to home than last week – to take on FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium.
Both teams enter their third league matches of the season on four points with a win and a draw each.
On the opening matchday, the teams started their campaigns on different notes. Both playing host, Cincinnati played out a tense draw with Toronto FC, while D.C. made a statement win against the New England Revolution. The following week, the roles reversed. D.C. picked up only a point, battling back against the Portland Timbers to get the result, while Cincinnati edged out a win away to the Chicago Fire for all three.
The Eastern conference finalists Cincinnati have had a busy schedule lately between MLS and CONCACAF Champions Cup matches. United will be looking to exploit Cincinnati’s tired legs with an aggressive press, while Cincinnati will be looking to bounce back from an unlucky Cup loss midweek to Liga MX side Monterrey.
Key Player: Aaron Herrera
The Guatemalan fullback has been a livewire in his first two league matches for United. With two assists to his name already, he’s shown his defensive and playmaking capabilities.
Watch out for: Luciano Acosta
Leaving D.C. as one of the league’s rising stars, the Argentinian playmaker reconvenes with United as the reigning MVP. With 31 league goals and assists last season, his attacking ability is the driving force in Cincinnati’s play going forward.
D.C. United Availability:
Out: Steven Birnbaum (Knee), Mohanad Jeahze (Thigh), Tyler Miller (Shoulder)
Questionable: Christian Benteke (Thigh), Russell Canouse (Ankle)
FC Cincinnati Availability:
Out: Alec Kann (Hand)
Location: TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
Kickoff Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
Referee: Cristian Campo Hernandez
Available streaming: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Interesting that Jeahze is on the injured list this week rather than a manager’s decision.
Agreed.
Interesting that Rodriguez is healthy but on the bench.
My full match report will be in the comments of tomorrow’s Freedom Kicks. A summary of yesterday’s OGDC game is thus:
The reigning MLR Champion New England Free Jacks capitalized on early handling errors, defensive miscues, and penalties by OGDC to race out to a 17-0 lead by 1st half hydration break around the 25′. Then OGDC came roaring back out of the hydration break with 14 straight points to come within 3 at 17-14. At halftime the score was 24-14 to New England. The Free Jacks came out of the half the same way the game had started with an early try to go up 29-14, but no conversion this time. Then OGDC replied with a try of their own that was converted to get back to within 8 at 29-21. Then off a deflection off an OGDC defender that resulted in a 5 man break with a failed non-wrap (penalty) tackle by OGDC resulted in a NE try to go up 34-14 with another missed conversion. 2 yellow cards on New England for repeated infringements including one in 2nd half bonus time allowed OGDC to come from behind with a 35-34 win.
That’s great news. What a comeback.!
TKD on the bench with Hopkins starting instead. Maybe we’re trying to double up on crossing threats over Teddy’s dribbling and off-the-ball movement. Could he slot into Pirani’s spot in the 2nd half?
Goff reported that TKD had a minor knock so I think it’s just that.
I’m hoping Murrell gets a run out today. He seems a much better backup to Benteke than Dajome.
Yeah. If Murrell can hack it, it would do wonders for our attacking depth.
This team is so much better than last year. Crisp passing and clear understanding of the system. I do worry about the depth of the team so hopefully they can find a way to either work Jeahze into the plans or get some money for him.
36 minutes in and the game has been mostly in Cincys half but DC hasn’t really looked like scoring. It’s clear that Benteke is our best threat by a mile and TKD is more incisive than Pirani. With both out we’re struggling to push into the box.
Some fabulous work by Bono keeping us in this.
Cagey first half. Both teams trading half-chances. Peltola was brilliant save for 1 pass he made. Pirani continues to be a non-factor. Same for Dajome.
Also, I miss Lucho’s quality, but I don’t miss his attitude and overall demeanor. Whatever maturity he gained while in Cincy clearly went out the window once he was named MVP.
Totally agreed about Dajome and Pirani. They even mentioned on the broadcast that they forgot Pirani was out on the field. With Ku-DiPietro out, this is his opportunity to really solidify his role, and he just isn’t. Dajome isn’t really a center forward. He usually does his best when he’s able to bring a burst of energy off the bench. I’d love to see Jacob Murrell get a run out to see if he can hack it at the MLS level.
Also agreed about Peltola. He’s been really good, and so has Klich, although I’d have hoped for a bit better quality on Klich’s strikes.
I’m not quite sure why Jackson Hopkins got the start over Kristian Fletcher, but I’d like to see Fletcher come in sooner than later.
Hopefully we can hang on for another result on the road. We’ve got the opportunity, even without Benteke and a limited Ku-DiPietro.
Klich’s strikes have been great this year. I can only recall one shot that really threatened.There have been a fair number of lollipop catching practice shots, and almost all of the rest have missed the frame.
He’s never really been a goalscorer per se. But he has that Premier League pedigree, and with a lot of our other attackers unavailable, he needs to shoulder a bit more of the load.
The announcers are talking about how Barlett and McVey are the preferred choice of center backs for Troy Lesesne, even when Birnbaum is available. They neglected to mention that Lesesne named Birnbaum the captain, though.
I think they’re probably right though. Birnbaum has never been great with the ball at his feet or playing a high line. He’ll certainly get a chance but I think he’s second string at this point in his career.
Re him being captain, Birnbaum the on field captain has never really impressed me but I think he’s probably a solid guy in the locker room/practice.
I think Birnbaum still has quality, especially in being a target for set pieces. He might lose out to Bartlett and McKey in terms of pace, though. Lesesne’s system does seem like it asks a LOT of running of the center backs.
I think if Birnbaum hadn’t signed his contract extension during the season last year, he likely would have been shown the door with the rest of the roster.
Pirani is rapidly moving to “bench him” status.
Pirani is so unimpressive. Still surprised to see Antley come on for him here. Playing for a point with a half-hour to go? I guess Santos moves up to midfield?
Lesesne seems to like Rodriguez as much as he likes Jeahze.
I am surprised to see him come in in this circumstance, but excited to see Murrell at this level. He impressed in summer league, but this is one helluva step up.
Nice to make his debut, but yeah, he seems a little starstruck or something right now. He’s starting his pressing runs just a second too late, like he’s watching the game and then remembering he’s a part of it. Just a young kid at a new level, and hopefully he adjusts quickly.
He’s not afraid to shoot though!
Murrell has a lot of good qualities. I think, with experience, he will do well.
-Biased Hoya
Santos and DC saved by a dubious foul call after Santos once again misplayed ball at his feet and turned it over in a dangerous position.
Amazing save by Bono.
Gotta give credit to Santos’ brave decision to try to dribble from one side of the field to the other at the top of the 6-yard box. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a professional defender attempt that.
Gotta like the two draws on the road in Portland and Cincinnati.
We finished that game with three players under 20 years old, including a draft pick making his professional debut. We also had a RB that we’d just signed from USL, and our two best attacking threats not playing.
I’ll take a point on the road and keeping a clean sheet against the Supporter’s Shield holders. I’ll take an unbeaten DC United through three games.
Bono coming up big in goal really helped. He was probably DC’s player of the game.
Easily.
This seems different from our “Hope and Hamid” days when we were trying get to the end of the game and the offense could not get the ball past the center circle. And that’s a good thing.
I completely agree with everything you said.
Solid point away from home. Team gets a clean sheet as well. I’m weirdly encouraged by how the team looks. They are getting results and looking alright, but you can tell things just haven’t clicked yet for everyone. I’m also pretty sure Lesesne doesn’t know his best 11 right now, which is understandable. That left flank is practically useless in the attack without Santos on the overlap. I’d like to see Fletcher get a look over Pirani next week. Hopefully this team can keep improving.
I’m very happy with a point on the road against Cincinnati of all teams. And then when you realize that our most effective attackers were out–it’s even more impressive. It’s clear that we are a very hard team to play against–we throw teams out of their game, we make them work. FCC is a good team, well-coached, some fine talent and while they were the better team, they didn’t dominate.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again–I love the confidence that Lesesne shows in the young players. This is what Rooney was supposed to do and instead played his veterans. This team is growing before our eyes. Unless we face some catastrophic injuries, this is NOT a wooden spoon candidate.
However, we absolutely need to get some depth. We have Benteke and TKDP go out and we got no real goal scoring threat other than first-time shots by Klich.
Finishing up the first half in a delayed viewing, and man, was it a bit confused and congested. But, to misquote Walter White from Breaking Bad, “I AM the congestion! I’M the on who confuses!”
Yes, Bono made some great plays, including the point blank save on Baird, but this is a formula for away games against strong opponents.
The color commentator was right about Pirani not having any impact or incisiveness, but on the other hand, I don’t know this Pelt-OH-LO guy, I just think our Pel-toh-La played him off the field.