Photo Marjorie Elzey

Who: Philadelphia Union vs FC Cincinnati

What: Leagues Cup Round of 32

Where: TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

When: 7:30 P.M. EST

Watch: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV

Whistle: TBA

The Boys in Blue will face off against the Blue and Orange in something of a ‘brotherly rivalry’ matchup in Ohio for the Leagues Cup Round of 16. The Union easily dispatched CF Montréal 2-0 on the back of a Tai Baribo brace. FC Cincinnati were all over Santos Laguna but needed to win the shootout to advance after tying 1-1 through regulation. Both teams are in good form and poised to give the fans a memorable first ever Leagues Cup meeting.

Scouting Report: FC Cincinnati

Cincy qualified to the Knockouts as the East 1 Group winners on 6 points from 2 wins and a +5 GD. They were the best group winner in the East, and tied 2nd overall in the tournament. Only Portland finished the group stage with a better record (6 points and +5 GD). One of Cincy’s wins Included a crazy comeback win against NYCFC. Cincy was 2-0 down until the 79th minute before storming back to win 4-2. Former Union player Sergio Santos scored the 4th.

In the Round of 32 match against Santos Laguna, Cincy advanced via shootout. After conceding an early goal trying to build out of the back, which saw center back Chidozie Awaziem turn the ball over under pressure in his own box, Luca Orellano tied it up shortly after with a great effort from outside the box. After that equalizer it was all Cincy who had a number of great opportunities. Santos was bailed out by keeper Carlos Acevedo who saved a Yuya Kubo penalty kick and by the offside flag which ruled out a would-be go ahead goal from Pavel Bucha. As it was, the game went to penalty kicks and Cincy advanced via winning the shootout after Santos Laguna’s last taker skied it. Sergio Santos converted the 6th kick for the Orange and Blue.

The two names that might have stuck in Union players and fan’s heads following the most recent matchup between the team are Lucho Acosta and Luca Oreallno. The two MLS All-Stars have proven instrumental to Cincy’s attack this year. They both scored big time goals in the 4-3 comeback against Philly in June.

Another important attacking player is Yuya Kubo. Despite being used as a utility player since joining Cincy for their inaugural season, the Japanese forward has broken out as a forward this year, scoring 9 league goals and adding one in the Leagues Cup match against NYCFC. 

It’s a good thing the Union defense has found some of their old form, as they will need it against one of the top teams on the continent right now. Interestingly, Cincy appears to have rotated in these Leagues Cup games with a lot of their big names, including Acosta and Deandre Yedlin not starting. Either way, it seems to have worked this far for them, and they would seem to have better depth than Philadelphia.

Injury Report: N/a

Suspended: N/a

International Duty: N/a

Scouting Report: Philadelphia Union

The Union have looked like a team re-born. After an ugly 2 month winless skid, Philly finally got all of their starting pieces back together. That, combined with the surprise redemption of Tai Baribo has seen the team go undefeated in their last 5 matches in all competitions (4 wins and 1 draw). However, the Union have also been able to rely on home field advantage in those games. Now, they will have to travel to TQL Stadium and face-off with one of the top teams in MLS.

Head Coach Jim Curtin admitted the challenge the team was facing in his pregame press conference saying, “We’ll go there as the underdog, and we’ll go there and be brave. We know it’s going to take a really good performance in their building to to survive and advance, but it’s become a great rivalry,” 

Rivalry is right. Since 2021 this matchup has been played with some extra spice. Following Union alum and former Technical Director Chris Albright’s appointment as GM of Cinci, Pat Noonan also switched from Union Assistant Coach to Head Coach of the Ohio based club the following season. After this, the franchise noticeably upgraded their playing style – one that was initially based on the counter pressing tactics employed by the Union- and this coincided with an improvement in results. A few former Union players also swapped Blue and Gold for Blue and Orange with one-time defender Alvas Powell and former striker Sergio Santos making the switch. ‘Streets-won’t-forget’ defender Ray Gaddis even came out of retirement to put on for Cincy.

Since then the clubs have met in the playoffs twice, each side taking a 1-0 home win. Before Noonan’s appointment as head coach the Union had never lost against Cincy, taking the all time series with 5 wins and 1 draw. Since then, Cincy has established themselves as potential MLS Cup contenders, and have won 4 out of 7 games with Philly. 

One thing’s for sure, this game will look a lot different than the 4-3 loss the Union received at TQL back in June. While both teams were missing key starters, the Union were missing more players and tonight’s showdown represents an opportunity for revenge. 

Injury Report: N/a

Suspended: N/a

International Duty: N/A

Key Matchup: José Martínez vs Cincy’s #10

As stated, Pat Noonan has rotated in recent games. Normally, Martínez would be matched up with Lucho Acosta but he has been the first sub off the bench in every Leagues Cup match so far. Either way, whether it is Lucho, Valenzuela, or Oreallano, Martínez will need to put in a lockdown shift to shield the Union backline or else Cincy will start cooking.

Player to Watch: Tai Baribo

The Union will need another good showing from their rising talisman. After his brace last match and the single tally against Charlotte, Baribo is 2nd in the Leagues Cup golden boot race. He showed well in the first matchup with Cinci, bagging his first two career goals for Union. With the way this Cinci team has been playing, Baribo might well need to net another two if the Union hope to advance.

Prediction: 2-2 (Cincy advances via shootout)

This is a tough one to call. Cincy has been really good all year whereas Philly is just now hitting form. Being the away team is always tough, especially in Soccer. With Blake and a (finally) solid defense in front of him, the Union should be able to withstand most of what Cincy throws at them. But, that attack is really good, and it feels like the Union will likely concede more than one goal on the night. The question is will they be able to show some resolve if they go down first? I think they will, but the game will end in a tie and the Union will get knocked out on penalties.