One more Eastern Conference opponent in 2024, why not? This one’s a doozy, too, so get ready for fireworks. Not actual pyrotechnics, though; I can neither confirm nor deny the lighting of real fireworks at or around this match. Regardless, the Loons are taking on the mighty FC Cincinnati this Wednesday, and though we would love to serve you all some of that wonderful Cincinnati chili at the match, we don’t want the visitors getting too comfortable in our stadium. We’ll be good hosts, of course—we’re Midwestern after all—but with playoff positioning on the line, there’s no room for niceties on the field.
Minnesota United (11-11-6)
Run of Form: W-W-L-W-L (All Competitions)
You’ve heard it plenty; an almost constantly shifting roster situation has made life difficult for MNUFC. If it’s not an international break that the league hasn’t paused for, it’s a collection of ill-timed injuries. If it’s neither of those, it’s the addition of new players from the transfer window. We’ve seen several iterations of the team line-up this season, many of which never really had the time to settle in and find a groove through little fault of their own. Bottom line: a lack of consistent options has plagued the Loons for much of the season—until now. Following the summer transfer window and the Leagues Cup break, it seems that the Loons have found something to build on, as new DP Kelvin Yeboah has brought a spark with him and is seemingly the key to unlocking the best version of Bongokuhle Hlongwane. Two wins on the bounce have seen the Loons play some of their best soccer since early this season, and with Cincinnati up next, there really couldn’t be a better time to rediscover that form.
FC Cincinnati (16-8-4)
Run of Form: D-W-L-L-W (All Competitions)
The Lions—most commonly known for their work with tigers and bears (oh my)—have had yet another successful year under head coach and club savior Pat Noonan. In just his third season as a head coach in MLS, Noonan has transformed this once pathetic expansion side into an Eastern Conference juggernaut, winning last season’s Supporters’ Shield and already clinching a spot in this year’s playoffs with six games to go. A 2-0 loss to Miami and a 4-2 loss to Philly in Leagues Cup make their form look worse than reality; these guys are playing some fantastic soccer right now, just as they have been all season long. They’re always a threat to score, and their defense is more than capable of putting up a clean sheet. It’s never a good time to play Cincinnati, but a home match in the dying stages of the year might be slightly preferred. It would take a massive slip-up from Miami for Cincy to snag the Supporters’ Shield again, meaning that the motivation battle will be firmly in favor of the playoff-chasing Loons this Wednesday.
Keys to the Match:
Change the Channel
It’s no secret that Kelvin Yeboah has brought a new dimension to Minnesota United’s game. The pacey forward has demonstrated an ability to read the game and execute at a high level, and he’s not lacking in confidence. He’s proven to be exactly the kind of Designated Player that a club like MNUFC would hope for, and after three goals in as many games, his impact has already been felt. In Saturday’s win against St. Louis, Yeboah's run down the sideline and subsequent driven cross in the 52nd minute showed what may be his most valuable asset in this system: an ability to run the channels. By drifting wide during build-up play, Yeboah opens space in the middle of the field for his teammates to run into unmarked, while simultaneously taking advantage of gaps out wide. Once he receives the ball, a quick move and sprint to the endline can turn into a scoring opportunity, or a pass inside can help the Loons advance their lines and establish possession in their opponents’ half of the field. One way or another, Yeboah needs to look for chances to drift wide and utilize the space that’s given. Cincy plays with three in the back, which naturally leaves more gaps out wide than centrally, so moving out from a central starting position might be the key to causing problems for Pat Noonan and company.
How Do You Solve a Problem Like Lucho?
Lucho Acosta is good at soccer. I know, it’s a pretty hot take of mine. The reigning league MVP has 11 goals and 18 assists in 2024, giving him a goal contribution every 75 minutes. So, he’s kind of a problem. The key to stopping him? Wouldn’t it be great if I knew that? Ha! First and foremost, the Loons need to have a solid mixture in the midfield. With two games in just four days as well, some rotation would go a long way toward keeping the whole squad fit for the end of the season. While new DP Joaquín Pereyra is still getting integrated into the team, it might be wise to use a combination of Wil Trapp, Carlos Harvey, Hassani Dotson, and Robin Lod in the middle of the pitch this time out. Any combination of the aforementioned players would give the Loons a solid defensive presence in the center of the field that’s capable of at least slowing Acosta down long enough to let the back line get organized. Regardless of who starts, look for subs in midfield around the hour mark. Beyond that, the Loons’ backline needs to stay disciplined, as Lucho’s passing range will tear them to pieces if they leave even the slightest of gaps for him to play through. Cincy is going to create chances; it’s pretty hard to stop that from happening. The key is making sure those chances are fringe chances at best, and that means that the Loons might have to pack it in and rely a bit more on counterattacking this time out.
Makin’ My Way Downtown
Walkin’ fast. Faces pass, and I’m homebound. The Loons are back at Allianz Field for the first time since August 24, and while home-field advantage is always a welcome tool, it doesn’t seem to be an easy way to get the better of FC Cincinnati. The Garys, as they’re sometimes known, have the second-most road points in all of MLS, behind just league leaders Inter Miami. In fact, the chili-lovers have more points from road matches than home matches in 2024, proving that regardless of where they’re playing, they’re not intimidated by supporter antics. But Allianz Field isn’t one of those half-empty football stadiums you find in the Eastern Conference. More than ever, a raucous atmosphere in the stadium is going to be absolutely essential in pushing the Loons past this stubborn opponent. Sure, it’s a Wednesday, a school night, even. BUT THE LOONS NEED YOU! Do what you gotta do. Walk a thousand miles if you have to; time will not pass by the fans that help make this a memorable victory (knocking on wood, don’t worry).
