After a challenging start to the 2026 season, FC Cincinnati went into their two-month summer break on a high note and not only earned an authoritative 6-2 victory over Eastern Conference rivals Orlando City SC, but also saw their coach reach a career milestone matched by only one other in Major League Soccer history.
With the victory, Pat Noonan earned his 75th league win of his young head coaching career – tying the fastest coach in MLS history to reach the mark, doing so in just 151 games, equalling longtime Seattle Sounders FC boss Brian Schmetzer.
The emphatic victory, in addition to the milestone, put into perspective key details of the early part of 2026 and the challenges the team faced. It also served as an opportunity for FC Cincinnati players to speak about their coach's success and highlight how influential he has been in finding a way through it all.
I think it’s good not just for us as players, but also for the club, that we have a coach that is capable of helping us succeed, and we are happy to have him here,” FC Cincinnati midfielder and 2025 MVP finalist Evander said of Noonan. “I think all the improvement that we’ve had after a slow start of the season is because of him.
“He was really patient in some moments with us to adjust the team, and I think he found the way through it all. I think we are in the right direction with him.”
Noonan himself was less enthused by the particular milestone, but did say it was humbling. The 2023 MLS Coach of the Year did say he had his eyes on his companion in the record’s trophy case and sees motivation in that.
“Not much on an individual level. It's certainly humbling, but I'll take all Brian's trophies,” Noonan said after the 6-2 Orlando win, not breaking a smile in the least. “That's what we're doing this for, I want those trophies. The individual stuff is a credit to the people you work with, and consistency in our play, but I want the trophies.”
That message was not one he gave exclusively to the media either; an FC Cincinnati player who spoke with the press after the match shared that Noonan provided nearly the exact same message to some players after learning of the accomplishment.
“I just saw him after the game, right before I got in here, and he's like, ‘yeah I don't care, I'm coming for his trophies, I want his trophies,’ regarding Schmetzer,” goalkeeper Roman Celentano shared with a laugh. “So, I mean, it's just nice to see his mindset, because you might think he's downplaying it, but that's just the calm mindset he has. But he wants to win stuff, and he wants to win trophies.
“I just feel bad, because we could have broken this record a lot earlier this season, and we kind of let him down in that regard, but hopefully we can make it up to him to and win some trophies at the end of this year,” Celentano added. “He's been awesome, and I mean, we haven't been great for him. And obviously everyone looks at the coach when the team isn't doing well, but we haven't been up to standards, so I'm just happy that tonight we could put him in a good light.”
Noonan’s mind is on trophies, but with a two-month break between matches, he will get a little time (along with his team) to rest and reflect on the first half of the season. But when they do get back, it will be full steam ahead to those trophy hopes and the next milestone of 100 wins.
