June 30, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Cincinnati News Release
“What a difference a day makes.”
Well, maybe more like a week. In the spirit of Miss Dinah Washington, a lot can be worked on in a week. In seven days, the FC Cincinnati defense, from the back line to attackers up top, rebuilt itself in a way that helped support the depleted center-back group while also keeping the attack pushing forward and not simply bunkering in. Doing well enough to win 1-0 on the road at FC Dallas and earn a clean sheet for the first time since a win over Orlando City SC nearly two months ago.
A different lifetime ago. Or so it feels.
Without the vaunted center-back core that earned praise from national and international media to start the season and perhaps the most versatile and effective defensive midfielder (Obinna Nwobodo) in MLS at their disposal, FCC kept a clean sheet.
“Really proud of the group. It was certainly a team effort to get a result,” FCC Head Coach Pat Noonan said in his postgame press conference. “It wasn’t always pretty, but I think the guys understood what the challenges were going to be going into it, and we made some certain improvements on the defensive side of the ball.”
“I think the guys stuck with the plan in a good way…where we were able to move the ball to get up the field to get our back line in positions to be able to defend in a good way when (Dallas) was playing direct.”
Everyone on the roster, from MLS MVP Luciano Acosta to Isaiah Foster, who made his MLS debut, contributed in different ways. The effort took some people to familiar places and some familiar faces to new places, but the group as a whole worked.
Yuya Kubo, who has been moved from position to position around the field, moved from striker to defensive midfielder in Nwobodo’s absence due to the red card suspension from last Saturday. Even then, given the high temperatures in Frisco, Texas, the super-utility man covered more ground than any other FC Cincinnati player on the night. DeAndre Yedlin, initially brought in as a wingback to solidify the right side, took on the role as veteran leader of the center-back corps while Luca Orellano continued to shine as a right-side wingback in his stead while Yamil Asad slotted in on Orellano’s typical left side.
Like a jigsaw puzzle with pieces from all different puzzles somehow magically fitting together, FC Cincinnati came together to form something great: a road win.
“It felt so good. I think it kind of showed what we’re…
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