Orlando Cityvs.Cincinnati

sportsmole.co.uk, 2 May 2024, 22:08

Off the back of a first defeat in five matches last time out, Orlando City will be looking to bounce back when they welcome FC Cincinnati to the Exploria Stadium on Sunday.

Cincinnati, on the other hand, head to Florida this weekend in search of a third consecutive victory to continue their recent upturn in form.

Match preview

Orlando City were left red-faced as they surrendered their advantage in the final knockings of Sunday's clash to lose 2-1 against Toronto FC.

Oscar Pareja's men got their noses in front through Duncan McGuire and looked set to come away with all three points before an 87th-minute Tyrese Spicer equaliser and Prince-Osei Owusu's strike turned the game around in dramatic fashion.

As a result, the Lions have dropped to 13th in the Eastern Conference of the MLS table, albeit just three points adrift of playoff contention.

Next up is the challenge of an opposing outfit with little to choose between the teams over the last six meetings which have yielded two wins apiece and two draws.

Having won just one of their last five home matches across all competitions, Sunday's hosts will need to get going in front of their fans if they are to shake off what has been a relatively underwhelming start to the season so far.

FC Cincinnati claimed a second 2-1 triumph on the bounce as they narrowly saw off the threat of Colorado Rapids at the TQL Stadium on Sunday.

Goals in either half from Luciano Acosta and Corey Baird put Pat Noonan's men in the driving seat before Moise Bombito pulled one back 18 minutes from time.

With 18 points picked up from 10 matches this term, The Knifey Lions sit second in the Eastern Conference standings, three points behind leaders Inter Miami who have played a game more.

Currently with the joint-best away record in the division, Sunday's hosts will fancy their chances of securing another positive result on the road.

Orlando City Major League Soccer form:

FC Cincinnati Major League Soccer form:

Team News

Ramiro Enrique is Orlando City's only guaranteed absentee for this one as he remains out of contention with a niggling ankle problem.

David Brekalo is a doubt for the home side having come off with an injury scare in the first half of the defeat to Toronto last time out.

Roman Celentano has missed four straight games for Cincinnati and the goalkeeper is not expected to make his return to first-team action this weekend.

Thirty-one-year-old Nick Hagglund is yet to recuperate from a leg injury which he picked up a fortnight ago for the visitors against Atlanta United.

Orlando City possible starting lineup:

Gallese; Thorhallsson, Schlegel, Jansson, Santos; Araujo, Cartagena; Ojeda, Torres, Cortes; McGuire

FC Cincinnati possible starting lineup:

Kann; Robinson, Miazga, Murphy; Yedlin, Nwobodo, Bucha, Orellano; Acosta, Baird, Kubo

We say: Orlando City 1-0 FC Cincinnati

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Cincinnati
Corey Baird
David Brekalo
duncan mcguire
Exploria Stadium
FC Cincinnati
lineups
Luciano Acosta
moise bombito
Nick Hagglund
Orlando City
Orlando City - FC Cincinnati
Orlando City vs FC Cincinnati
Oscar
Oscar Pareja
Owusu
Pat Noonan
Play
possible lineups
predicted scorelines
prediction
Prince
Prince-Osei Owusu
Ramiro Enrique
Roman Celentano
Toro
Toronto
Toronto FC
Tyrese Spicer

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