“That Was a Hard-Fought Win” – Orange and Blue Triumph Over Union in Tough Home Test

April 10, 2023 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – FC Cincinnati News Release

FC Cincinnati woke up Sunday morning as winners once again, this time taking three points from the Philadelphia Union in an early season rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference Semifinal. The result keeps the Orange and Blue atop the Eastern Conference table for a second straight week.

“That was a hard-fought win,” said Noonan. “I think you saw a team in Philly that, because of their schedule, had to make some rotations. I thought their defending was really, really strong and they made it difficult for us to get into the box.”

Chances were limited for both sides all night, with Cincinnati and Philadelphia combining for just 18 shot attempts and each team setting season-lows in that department with eight and 10, respectively.

“It was probably going to be a matter of one moment to make the difference in this game and fortunately, we found it, but I was really pleased with our guys’ ability to figure out a way to get a goal and see the game out and win against a very good team to keep the momentum going for our group.”

And three more points at TQL Stadium on Saturday night for the Orange and Blue adds a fourth win to Cincinnati’s unblemished home record to start the 2023 season. FC Cincinnati are one of five teams yet to drop points at home (LAFC, Columbus Crew, Houston Dynamo FC, CF Montréal), though FCC and LAFC are the only two clubs to have played four home matches so far.

“It’s been great so far,” said Noonan on the atmosphere Saturday night. “Like I said last week, it’s expected we win here and now every win just adds to the confidence when we are on our home field, regardless of the opponent. It adds to the fans’ expectations and belief that our team is going to be ready to win games in front of them.”

While Philadelphia’s dangerous attacking trio weren’t part of the Starting XI, as part of a rotated starting lineup for Jim Curtin’s squad with Saturday sandwiched between two Concacaf Champions League matchups against LIGA MX side Atlas FC, Julián Carranza, Dániel Gazdag and Mikael Uhre all made second-half substitute appearances as the Union looked to steal points on Cincinnati’s home turf, with the match scoreless upon their entry.

“We expected them to play,” said Noonan. “It was just a matter of when – if it was going to be at halftime or if it was going to be later in the game. I’m sure the scoreline was going to be a factor and I think they were trying to stretch some of…