Club profile: FC Cincinnati
Things could not be going much better for FC Cincinnati.
The Ohio-based club are currently top of Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference, eight points clear of second-placed New England Revolution.
It has been an unexpected rise to the summit of the division for a team that finished fifth, 18 points behind winners Philadelphia Union last season.
As Cincinnati look to make history in just their fifth season in MLS, we take a closer look at one of the United States’ fastest-developing teams.
Building blocks
Cincinnati’s progress since their expansion into MLS has been impressive.
After three challenging years which ended in 24th, 26th and 27th-placed overall finishes, the Orange and Blue jumped to 10th last season.
They have made another leap and are flying high at the top of the Eastern Conference, with their gaze firmly set on a first title.
Self-belief
Not many would have tipped Cincinnati to be eight points clear in July but assistant coach Dominic Kinnear clearly expected his side to be competitive.
“Very impressed, not surprised,” he said after an unlikely 2-1 win over New York Red Bulls on Wednesday night. “The spirit and the fight in the group is excellent.”
Cincinnati were 1-0 down until the 80th minute before Luciano Acosta equalised from the penalty spot and Obinna Nwobodo scored the winner in added time.
Such tenacity and self-belief has been a feature of their season, with only two defeats from 22 league games.
Unsustainable overperformance?
With a healthy lead and an enviable team spirit, Cincinnati will hope they can push on until the final weeks of the season.
In attack, Pat Noonan’s side have been extremely productive, boasting an xG of 33.3 – the second-highest in MLS.
But at the other end of the pitch, an xG conceded of 24.8 puts Cincinnati eighth and behind several potential competitors.
The Orange and Blue will be wary of a loss of consistency, particularly after a run of three games without a win before the dramatic win over New York Red Bulls.
Attacking ace
There will be less concern about a potential drop-off in form if Luciano Acosta maintains his excellent form for the remainder of the season.
The attacking midfielder has been superb in 2023, scoring 10 goals and providing four assists.
Acosta has attempted the most through-balls (62) of any player in the division and ranks in the top 10 for shots assisted per 90 (2.03).
Both a creator and a finisher, the diminutive Argentine is without question one of the stars of MLS.
He has been so impressive that he was recently named the captain of 2023 MLS All-Star Team, with team-mates Alvaro Barreal and Matt Miazga also selected.
“When you have players like Luciano Acosta, when he’s on the field, he’s always going to be a goal threat and he’s always going to give you a chance to win games,” Kinnear said.
Key players
Cincinnati have also benefited from the defensive prowess of centre-back Yerson Mosquera.
The 22-year-old has completed the second-most successful defensive actions (244) in MLS this season.
He also ranks fourth for interceptions per 90 (7.53) and sixth for completed ball recoveries per 90 (13.11).
Barreal, who operates on the left flank, has attempted a team-high 66 crosses and is a real threat in wide areas.
And up front, Sergio Santos, Dominique Badji and Brandon Vázquez have supplemented Acosta’s goals with four each of their own.
Looking ahead
“One thing that will happen is the teams that are chasing are going to be locked in, especially when it’s the matchups against us, to win those battles, so it’s only going to get more difficult,” Noonan said in a recent interview.
“We’ll show what we’re about in how we handle it.
“If we can be in a position where it’s just how we think about our own performances and winning games, I’d rather have that opportunity, which we do.”
There are plenty of challenges on the horizon for Cincinnati, including games against difficult opposition in Nashville SC and Columbus Crew.
Staying on top of the Eastern Conference will be the aim for a club with big ambitions, despite modest expectations.
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