FC Cincinnati kicks off at TQL Stadium on Saturday night after a short turnaround and a busy week. After a come-from-behind draw on the road at NYCFC on Wednesday – earned through two stoppage time goals – FCC now host the other New York-based club when the Red Bulls come to town.
Action gets underway on Apple TV at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday night, so ahead of that, let’s look at a few key factors to success that The Orange and Blue will need to come out on top!
Play with Confidence Early
FC Cincinnati have been dominant late in games this season, scoring regularly past the 80th minute to get themselves back into games and earn points. But to turn draws into victories, Head Coach Pat Noonan is looking for his side to play a little more like they have been late in games when they kick things off.
“Finding the comfort from the kickoff, to play in the right ways. It's not to be reckless or take unnecessary risk, it's to understand what the game provides. I think there's still more moments where we can find the right way to play,” Noonan said Friday as to what his team needs to do to turn its fortunes. “I think sometimes we wait until it's an extreme situation, or at least we've seen that in recent weeks. So, being more confident and comfortable doing that throughout the game.
“Certainly the end of the games have been more dynamic and showing more confidence than what we've seen to start games, so, that’s something we can improve on.”
Part of the problem has been finding that confidence and maintaining it after the game has started. So while there may be pregame energy and belief, adjusting to new looks and information can’t shake the confidence of the group.
“I think it emerges more from how games start,” Noonan said of the lack of confidence. “Maybe on an individual level or if the opponent shows something a little bit different and then you find yourself getting the adjustments to understand how to get pressure on the ball and where the spaces are going to be when you have the ball. So, more so as the game starts.”
Use your chances
While struggling to get results, the offense has been clicking for FCC. In the last five games, the Orange and Blue have scored 14 goals and shown the ability to win games in the attack. The last time these two teams squared off, FCC just missed out on finishing and fell 4-2. Midfield star Evander sees that as an opportunity to flip the result.
“I think we’re gonna have a lot of chances, just like we had against them in the first away game,” Evander said Friday morning. “We just didn't score the goals on the chances that we had. We’re playing a team that is good on the ball, but also is a little exposed in behind. So we can create chances and, hopefully, score goals.”
Don’t underestimate youth
The New York Red Bulls are fueled by the strength of their youth this season. With three players receiving top starting minutes under 18, the “Baby Bulls,” as some have called them, are one of the most exciting teams in MLS.
That strength has, in part, come from 18-year-old Julian Hall, who leads the team in goals scored this year with six in MLS and two in the US Open Cup. His youth, though, is hardly what stands out about the player.
“He’s not a player moving like an inexperienced forward,” Noonan said of Hall. “The goal against D.C. and how he takes the first goal – the body shape, recognition of space, the technique with the shot, and the power, all of it is done at a high level. So, that whole action right there speaks to a younger player that plays more mature than he is.
“So, he's been excellent and of course, when you're preparing for the next opponent, you look at these things and try to figure out ways to limit them.”
Hall, though, is not the only young American contributor to the roster. Five Americans under 24 feature regularly in the starting XI.
“From a bigger picture, American soccer, youth development, all of these things, they're doing some really good stuff with that club,” Noonan continued. “Credit to Michael [Bradley] with the work that he's doing because he believes in those guys. You can see that they're getting consistent opportunities, but they're also performing.”
FC Cincinnati kicks off with Red Bull New York at 7:30p.m. on Saturday night at TQL Stadium. For more information on how to watch, or for matchday information at TQL Stadium all season, click here.
