FC Cincinnati’s three-game unbeaten streak snapped Saturday night at Nippert Stadium, where the Orange and Blue lost 2-0 to the Philadelphia Union. FCC have seven points through five matches.
Here are three takeaways from the result:
Struggling to create opportunities
In the last three matches, FC Cincinnati displayed an attacking venom that saw the side draw the 2018 MLS Cup champions, batter the runner-up and produce a first MLS road win.
So naturally, the mood entering Saturday night was excitement. After all, a win against the Union would’ve meant the best start of any first-year club in MLS history.
But that didn’t happen.
Instead of FC Cincinnati’s same attacking productivity the last few matches, the side found themselves struggling to break the Union’s high press. FCC were out-possessed and scoring opportunities were limited.
The best chance came in the 27th minute when Greg Garza found Roland Lamah in on goal, but Lamah was offside and but his finish was disallowed for being offside.
Cincinnati produced one shot on target and the match was the first time the club hasn't scored in a regular-season match.
Adjusting to injuries
Forward Fanendo Adi missed a second-straight match because of a left ankle injury, while center back Kendall Waston missed his first match with a mild calf injury that he picked up late in the week in training.
As a result, Darren Mattocks made his first FC Cincinnati start, while Forrest Lasso replaced Waston for the second-straight game since the Costa Rica international went away during the FIFA break.
Defensively, the Cincinnati backline often times was under constant pressure from attacking Union players. Both goals from the visitors resembled as much.
But in terms of attacking play, Mattocks, who was a super sub against the Portland Timbers in the home opener, was the team’s only available forward on the day.
With no Adi and an injured Emmanuel Ledesma (mild hamstring injury picked up late in the week in training), Head Coach Alan Koch didn’t have a striker available on his bench to potentially make a substitution in that position.
So, what comes next?
Saturday’s loss was FC Cincinnati's first of three home games in the next four matches. The Orange and Blue host Sporting Kansas City next Sunday in a nationally televised match that’s been tabbed as the team’s annual “Orange Out” affair. Fans are asked to wear orange.
After that, Cincinnati plays at LAFC before returning home to host Real Salt Lake.
Considering FCC were second in the MLS Eastern Conference standings before the weekend, that reiterates the team’s strong start to the season.
While the 2-0 loss to the Union was a setback, it’s nothing more than a chance to rebuild, recover from injuries and get ready for next Sunday on ESPN.
