Photo credit: Marjorie Elzey

Who: FC Cincinnati  (1st in the East, 4-2-0) vs. Philadelphia Union (8th in the East, 2-1-3)

What: MLS Regular Season, Matchday 7

Where: TQL Stadium,Cincinnati, Ohio

When: Saturday, April 8, 7:30 PM

Watch: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV

Whistle: Ted Unkel; Cory Richardson, Corey Rockwell; Luis Diego Arroyo; Jon Freemon, Jozef Batkno

Philadelphia travels to Cincinnati for Matchday 7 to take on an unbeaten FC Cincinnati side that’s made easy work of its first handful of fixtures. The two teams are trending in opposite directions early to begin the year, with FC Cincinnati leading the east and looking increasingly daunting, while  the Union are starting to face real questions following their third straight MLS match without a win. With FC Cincinnati having a habit of picking up former members of the Union, the U’s desperation to get back on solid ground following a shaky start, and both sets of fans mutual distaste for each other as expressed on social media, it’s sure to be an elevated environment for what would otherwise be an innocuous early season fixture.

Scouting report: Philadelphia Union

The Union find themselves in a position familiar to every MLS club that’s faced an extended run in the CONCACAF Champions League. They face a seemingly critical early season league fixture, buffeted on either side by an even more important Champions League match. Traditionally, MLS sides have rotated their squad to favor being at full strength against their CCL opposition, but with the Union struggling early in the season, and already being up 1-0 on Atlas, it’s not unrealistic to think Jim Curtin may play a stronger lineup in Cinci.

Curtin didn’t commit to any exact lineup choices for either of the coming matches, but did emphasize that Cincinnati was the priority, saying “I don’t want to hear the word Atlas right now. The full focus has to be on Cincinnati”. 

Regardless of who steps into the XI for the Union in Cincinnati, expect the squad to come out aggressive and hungry. Despite the slow start for the Union, a strength of the team in recent seasons has been their ability to get up for games that matter. With Curtin emphasizing the importance of a result against Cincinnati, and the squads predilection for playing up to the moment, it’s hard to imagine a Union side that doesn’t look up for the game.

Injury report: Questionable Kai Wagner (hamstring)

Scouting report: FC Cincinnati

Cincinnati are on a tear, there’s no two ways about it. Despite being largely considered one of the weaker teams in the league since their inaugural season in 2019, a solid 2022 campaign looks to be a building block for a stellar 2023. While last year Cincinnati were equally good at scoring, and being scored on, early in 2023 the club looks to have sorted out their defensive woes. Cincinnati have only conceded four goals so far, with three of them coming in a single game away against Chicago. The club alternates between playing a 5-3-2, and 3-5-2 (more accurately a 3-4-1-2) both of which are anchored defensively by USMNT stand out Matt Miazga. 

Either formation is a pain to break down for oppositions, with the congested midfield making it difficult for oppositions to move the ball forward, while simultaneously allowing Cincinnati to push in attack with numbers. The downside of the congested midfield is that when Cincinnati do turn the ball over, they’re prone to being out of position and caught on the counter. All three of the Fire’s goals were scored in transition, something the Union will want to take note of. 

Offensively, Cincinnati will be the toughest test the Union have faced all season. Last season the offensive minds of Luciano Acosta, Brandon Vazquez and Brenner went for 46 goals and 33 assists. They’ve had a bit of a slower start this season due to tactical changes from Cincinnati, but they’re just as lethal when they get their opportunities. 

Injury report: Questionable: Obinna Nwobodo (hamstring) Out: Yuya Kubo (leg)

Match-up to watch: Philly’s counter vs Cincinnati’s formation

Three of Cincinnati’s four goals allowed this season have come off of the counter attack. Philadelphia  arguably has had the best counter attack in the league over the last two years. Any questions? It should be interesting to see how a struggling Philadelphia squad goes after a Cincinnati squad who’s main weakness is their ability to be caught out of position. 

Player(s) to watch: Jack McGlynn/Leon Flach

Jack McGlynn may soon be given his chance to shine. That may be odd to say for a player who’s already started a league final, but with Leon Flach struggling as of late, it seems McGlynn could be inching closer to becoming the Union’s preferred choice in the middle of the park. Whoever gets the nod will be worth keeping tabs on as the U look to sure up a midfield that’s so far been lackluster.

Prediction: Philadelphia 1–1 Cincinnati

Optimistic? Maybe. 

There’s a lot going on around this fixture that makes it genuinely hard to predict. The Union could be facing several lineup changes caused by both genuine desire to tinker with the XI, and rotation caused by CCL. Cincinnati have looked weak against the counter, but Chicago really counter that well, or did Cincinnati have an off day at a blisteringly cold Soldier Field? It’s hard to say. 

All in all it seems likely the Union are able to snag one against Cincinnati’s stout defense, but it’s hard to imagine Cincinnati not scoring with how good their attack is. The teams split the points.