“The Crowd Really Does Make a Difference” – Noonan Lauds TQL Stadium Sellout in 7th Straight Home Win

May 7, 2023 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – FC Cincinnati News Release

FC Cincinnati earned yet another win Saturday night at TQL Stadium against an in-form D.C. United side, 2-1. The Orange and Blue extend their unblemished home record at home to 6-0-0 while snapping D.C.’s four-match winning streak.

“A good battle,” said Pat Noonan after the match. “We played a good team tonight. D.C., you can see, is moving in a good direction, difficult to play against. We had a feeling that the chance creation was going to be difficult if we weren’t decisive and if we didn’t move the ball quickly.”

Much like Cincinnati’s previous matches at TQL Stadium, the Orange and Blue got off to a quick start, generating chances early. Sergio Santos, who leads FC Cincinnati in goals with four, had a great look seven minutes into the match after Alvas Powell attacked down the right wing. His pass picked out Santos in the box, but the Brazilian couldn’t connect on the attempt.

“I thought the first 15, 20 minutes, we did a good job of finding some longer switches of play and specifically with Alvas [Powell],” said Noonan. “We had one good moment with one of these cutback crosses. But then they got control the rest of the half.”

A late lineup change for D.C. United saw Ruan earn his seventh start of the season and nearly put the visitors ahead in the 24th minute. Belgium striker and former Premier League forward Christian Benteke, a constant threat for D.C., occupied the eyes of Cincinnati’s defense before putting Ruan in behind. A well struck shot was met with an even better save from Roman Celentano.

“I think we struggled to get pressure to [Lewis] O’Brien and [Mateusz] Klich in the spaces when they were able to switch play,” Noonan analyzed. “And so, we tried in the second half to get Alvas and Álvaro [Barreal] at times, releasing more central, and then have Yerson [Mosquera] and Nick [Hagglund]) deal with the wingbacks.”

D.C. continued to apply pressure in the first half, with another opportunity for the Black and Red coming in the 42nd minute. Benteke once again created the chance, but this time the imposing, physical forward took it upon himself to get his team on top. A hard low drive from inside the box looked dangerous, but Celentano once again rose to the challenge keeping Benteke and United at bay.

Celentano finished the night with four saves and surpassed Przemysław Tytoń for the club record in career saves (118).

Scoreless at the break, the Orange and Blue found…