April 28, 2023 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – FC Cincinnati News Release
FC Cincinnati (6-1-2) at New England (6-1-2).
It’s the premier fixture on the MLS schedule this weekend, and those words can be nothing but sweet to FCC supporters, who endured a tough first three MLS seasons and then white-knuckled their way to a 2022 playoff berth secured only on Decision Day.
We’re simply dealing in facts here. The Revs and FCC are points-level (20) not only at the top of the Eastern Conference, but also for the Supporters’ Shield. Granted, Los Angeles FC is the only remaining unbeaten side (5-0-3) in MLS, and they lead the league in points-per-game (2.25), having played only eight matches. FCC and New England are a hair behind at 2.22. But the glamor lads from LA, always a magnet for national media, don’t play in MLS this weekend, due to Concacaf Champions League commitments. And though Seattle and St. Louis both top FCC and New England in some media power rankings — despite lesser records — neither of those clubs has a high-profile opponent on Matchday 10.
But wait! – as they say on TV ads – there’s more. The formidable stat crew at Opta Sports have determined that Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. game at Gillette Stadium will mark the first time two teams with at least 20 points have met this early in any of MLS’s 27 seasons.
FCC’s Pat Noonan met that one in his Thursday news conference with a head coach’s characteristic bemusement regarding stat geeks and inquiring sportswriters.
“Umm … well … that’s an interesting one,” Noonan said with a (very) slight smile. “Somebody dug deep for that, whoever dug it up. I’ll just say you have two teams that have been strong early on in terms of results, and I’m guessing that if you asked the opposing head coach (Bruce Arena) what he thought about that (stat), there wouldn’t be too much thought going into it. I think we’d both just say that our teams can be better, can improve. It’s just about who can step on the field and have a strong performance against another top team in the conference, working to remain there.”
Noonan played for the Revolution from 2003-07. Selected by New England with the ninth overall pick in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft, he scored 37 goals over 119 appearances. He ranks tied for seventh in club history in goals scored (37) and ninth in assists (29). FCC general manager Chris Albright also played for the Revolution, in 2008 and 2009.
Noonan had two coaching stints under current Revs’ boss Arena, indisputably…
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