September 13, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Cincinnati News Release
The top rivalry matchup in MLS returns to the field on Saturday night. FC Cincinnati will host Columbus Crew in the 13th regular season, and 15th overall playing of the Hell is Real derby.
FC Cincinnati have had some time off to rest up and prepare for the matchup. Thanks to the international window FCC will have gone 13 days between matches, but fortunately, most of the group remained in Cincinnati to work together as the team gears up for the stretch run.
Sometimes, those long gaps can be a problem, especially this late in the season. While the break gives the opportunity to rest and recover physically and mentally, not having games each week can dull the edge of intensity. But both FCC Head Coach Pat Noonan and Captain Luciano Acosta feel the rivalry game that waited for The Orange and Blue at the end of the break helped keep the group focused and mindful of what comes at the end of that break.
“The trainings have been really good. I think the energy within the group has been good and we got a couple extra days to work on some things,” Noonan said. “But sometimes there can be a lull in that break. But that wasn’t the feeling that I got from our training. So guys have been excellent.”
“I think this team continues training in a good way and responding to adversity,” Acosta said on Thursday. “I think the game against Montreal, you saw a really strong team that was prepared to respond. Now, focusing on the next game…the team is focused. They’re prepared. And you know, we’re at home, so we’re ready for a good game.
“In games like this, in front of your fans, these are games that you have to win, and that’s the mentality that we have to go in with. These are games that you have to win, that’s what we want to give to our fans at home and everywhere, a win.”
Acosta has been a point of interest for those in the FCC universe, particularly his health over the last two months. The 2023 MLS MVP’s last start for FCC was two months and one day prior to the Hell is Real derby, but now, with the break between games and serving his suspension against Montréal, he feels he is ready and past his ailments.
“Mentally, I prepared. I’m in a good moment right now,” Acosta said. “Mentally, physically, my feet. I feel really good.”
“With Lucho, this break has helped him to physically get into a better place,” Noonan added. “He’s pushed himself for the last 10 days and gotten a lot of extra work, more than the…
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