Sports Mole previews Thursday’s Major League Soccer conflict between New York City FC and FC Cincinnati, together with predictions, team news and attainable lineups.
New York City FC return to Citi Field for the primary time since May 22 in want of a win or draw versus FC Cincinnati on Wednesday to keep away from matching their longest common-season shedding streak in franchise historical past.
Heading into this midweek encounter, the reigning MLS Cup champions have dropped three successive fixtures, shedding 3-0 to the New England Revolution on Sunday, whereas the Orange and Blue have an opportunity to overhaul the Revs for the ultimate playoff spot within the Eastern Conference with some extent.
Match preview
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The wheels appear to have fallen off the mighty New York City FC, who suffered a sixth defeat of their final seven league matches this previous weekend, the worst stretch of outcomes for them since incomes only a single level from matchday 4 to 10 of their inaugural marketing campaign in 2015.
Nick Cushing retains saying the appropriate issues at his press conferences, calling on his facet to boost their requirements whereas preaching togetherness, however judging from their performances, it looks like his messages usually are not being acquired.
Sunday was their worst defeat in an everyday season encounter since 2019, once they have been crushed 4-0 by Toronto at BMO Field, as NYCFC have now conceded three objectives in 4 of their final seven home encounters.
Incredibly, as unhealthy as issues are going for them proper now, the Pigeons are nonetheless in a strong place to host a playoff sport, although the margin between themselves and Orlando City is way thinner as New York are forward of them in fourth by three factors, whereas the Lions have a sport in hand.
Perhaps a go to to Queens can cease their bleeding, as New York are unbeaten of their three earlier matches performed this yr at Citi Field, posting consecutive clear sheets.
Playing Cincinnati could be simply what they want proper now, because the Boys in Blue have by no means misplaced to the Orange and Blue in league play, profitable all 4 of their earlier common-season residence fixtures towards them by a mixed rating of 16-3.
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In an surprising twist, FC Cincinnati acquired a contribution from an surprising supply this previous weekend as they kicked off the month of September with a formidable 2-0 win over Charlotte FC.
Cincy have tallied a franchise document 47 objectives thus far this yr, 32 of which have come from three gamers, who’ve carried this team to new heights in 2022.
While they nonetheless have their share of defensive points to type out, at the moment tied for the third-most objectives conceded within the Eastern Conference (48), it’s a huge enchancment from what this membership had achieved of their earlier two 34-match common-season campaigns the place they conceded 75 and 74 objectives respectively in 2019 and 2021.
Despite going winless in six straight street contests heading into this encounter, Pat Noonan‘s males have picked up some extent in 4 of their final 5 away video games, squandering two successive second-half benefits, drawing the New York Red Bulls (1-1) and Inter Miami (4-4).
Cincy are unbeaten in eight consecutive MLS matches when scoring the opening purpose, with their final defeat coming on the finish of May 4-3 at CF Montreal.
Only two of their remaining six matches will likely be at residence, the place they’re unbeaten in 9 straight video games, and solely two of these last six encounters are towards groups which can be at the moment in a playoff place (NYCFC and Real Salt Lake).
New York City FC Major League Soccer kind:
FC Cincinnati Major League Soccer kind:
Team News
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The 2021 MLS Cup MVP Sean Johnson has conceded in seven of his final eight matches for the Pigeons, after failing to concede in 4 straight encounters, as he’s now tied with Andre Blake for essentially the most shutouts in MLS this yr (13).
Heber, who has essentially the most objectives for them amongst lively gamers following the departure of Valentin Castellanos, has tallied six occasions in his profession versus Cincinnati, Talles Magno is and not using a purpose in 5 consecutive matches, Santiago Rodriguez has not tallied a purpose or help in his final three outings, whereas Thiago Andrade has scored as soon as and in addition arrange one purpose in three video games performed at Citi Field.
Alexander Callens (MCL), Anton Tinnerholm (decrease physique), Thiago Martins (decrease physique), Alfredo Morales (decrease physique) and Keaton Parks (calf) are all uncertain due to accidents.
Nick Hagglund notched the winner for Cincinnati over the weekend, his first of the season, whereas Luciano Acosta had a purpose and an help, and Yuya Kubo collected his first help of 2022.
Brandon Vazquez has 16 objectives to steer the Orange and Blue domestically this season, whereas Brenner, who had a hat trick the final time they confronted NYCFC in a 4-4 draw again in June, has chipped in with 9 objectives this yr, two greater than Acosta, and Matt Miazga has two objectives in his final three video games.
Beckham Sunderland is unlikely to see the sector due to concussion protocol, Kenneth Vermeer is out with a torn pectoral muscle, and Luciano Acosta will likely be suspended resulting from yellow card accumulation.
New York City FC attainable beginning lineup:
Johnson; Gray, Chanot, Amundsen, Owusu; Haak, Acevedo; Andrade, Moralez, Rodriguez; Heber
FC Cincinnati attainable beginning lineup:
Celentano; Powell, Hagglund, Cameron, Miazga, Bailey; Cruz, Nwobodo, Moreno; Vazquez, Brenner
We say: New York City FC 3-2 FC Cincinnati
As poor because the defending champions have been recently, Cincinnati haven’t sorted out their defensive points, and whereas Cincy are potent within the last third, they nonetheless look susceptible on the again finish.
The Orange and Blue are a super opponent for a facet like NYCFC, and as entertaining as Cincinnati have been all through this yr, they battle to place matches away when the chance arises, which we consider will profit the Pigeons on Wednesday.
For knowledge evaluation of the almost certainly outcomes, scorelines and extra for this match please click on right here.
