Four Takeaways from FC Cincinnati’s Opening Preseason Friendly with Austin FC

January 26, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – FC Cincinnati News Release

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA – FC Cincinnati kicked off their 2024 preseason friendly schedule with a 2-1 defeat to Austin FC at Al Lang Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Al Lang resides as the preseason training home for Austin and technically served as the first “road test” of the season for The Orange and Blue.

The match was played in a standard 90-minute format with two 45-minute halves, but both teams took more than the usual time at half time to reset for the second half. While this seems standard for most soccer matches, not all friendlies will be on a 90-minute clock. On occasion, the club will play an extended 120-minute game, so the normality of the structure adds to the takeaways from the match.

Let’s dive into the key points of the match, some takeaways, and hear from head coach Pat Noonan on his opinion of the game.

The Orange and Blue win possession battle, Aaron Boupendza looks strong

The first half of the match was defined by FC Cincinnati’s ability to hold possession and win balls back in their own half. The combination of Yuya Kubo, Obinna Nwobodo, and the new look defensive corp of Miles Robinson, Kipp Keller and returner Ian Murphy look connected, winning balls back and turning up field to the forwards, and thwarting challenges early. While in-match statistics or a public game clock were not available for comparison, FCC spent the vast majority in possession and in the attacking half, and pressured Austin in the final third regularly.

While The Verde never had consistent pressure in the final third that made things uncomfortable, they were able to break out in transition and create an early opportunity that resulted in a fairly spectacular take that perfectly floated over the keeper and back down softly to the far post, banking in off the metal for the first goal in the opening stanza.

It was fairly representative of the match as a whole as FCC applied more pressure in all phases and created some chances, but just had the extra inch at the right moments.

“There were some really good looks,”head coach Pat Noonan said. “There were some really good stretches of play, but just that creativity in the final third. … I think one of the biggest challenges today was just the quality from our wider positions. Specifically with the wing backs, when we got them into the box, how we were able to get some balls in dangerous areas, you know, that was a little bit off.

“Credit to (Austin)….