October 4, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Cincinnati News Release
FC Cincinnati hosts Orlando City SC this weekend in the final home match of the regular season and The Orange and Blue are looking to continue building for a playoff run. In what has historically always been a defensive, low-scoring affair when these two sides meet, the Orange and Blue are looking to simplify things and play as a team to snap this mini-losing streak FCC is on.
In the last four playings of this matchup, a combined three goals were scored between the two teams, and clean sheets were common. FCC is looking to get back to its team-oriented attack to break down a team that Head Coach Pat Noonan describes as excellent on defense.
“Orlando defensively is very good about initial pressure when they’re stepping up,” Noonan said Friday morning at Mercy Health Training Center. “If the pressure’s broken, I think they recover as well as anybody in the league to regain their shape and to be able to defend the ball with the right aggression.”
Orlando City SC had a challenging start to the season but is closing the season as one of the hottest teams in the league, having won 10 of their last 14. The Florida club enters as the fourth seed in the East and could secure home-field advantage in the playoffs with a result.
“Every team goes through their own form, different peaks and dips in their form and they started off the season slow. But…just speaking on the last month or two, they’ve been as good as anybody in the league and as consistent with the results and the performances. They are as in form as any team.”
FC Cincinnati could clinch their spot in the Concacaf Champions Cup on Saturday but need a win to do it. Given the disappointing results over the last week, the race has tightened significantly, with Seattle, Real Salt Lake and Houston chasing them. However, with one of the long-term goals of 2024 cinching that spot, achieving it now has become a point of emphasis.
“We mentioned it today,” Pat Noonan said, referring to the team meeting that took place just prior to the press conference. “I think it’s just three points that positions us to compete in the Champions Cup next year…it certainly puts us in a better position going into that final game to know what we need to do to get a berth.”
FC Cincinnati vs Orlando City SC – Saturday, October 5, 2024 – 7:30 p.m. ET – TQL Stadium
HOW TO WATCH
Stream: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
TV Talent (English, Apple): Jake Zivin (PxP), Taylor Twellman…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at OurSports Central Major League Soccer MLS News…