Supporters’ Shield-leading FC Cincinnati travel to take on early-season wonder St. Louis City on Saturday night in the first clash between the two clubs.
Cincinnati (5-0-2, 17 points) sits atop not only the Eastern Conference but the entire league standings with its best start to a season and best seven-game stretch in the team’s history after defeating the Philadelphia Union 1-0 last Saturday. Luciano Acosta slotted home a 69th-minute penalty kick for the game’s only goal.
“It was probably going to be a matter of one moment to make the difference in this game,” said Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan. “Fortunately, we found it. But I was really pleased with our guys’ ability to figure out a way to get a goal.”
A key part of the win was goalkeeper Roman Celentano and the defensive unit in front of him. Cincinnati has only allowed four goals through seven matches, fourth-best in MLS. Celentano has posted five clean sheets this season, tied for best in the league.
Cincinnati will be without Acosta due to a shoulder injury suffered during the Philadelphia match. Obinna Nwobodo (hamstring), who missed the last two matches, practiced this week and could play Saturday.
St. Louis (5-2-0, 15 points) dropped its second straight game after opening the season with five consecutive wins — falling 3-0 to the Seattle Sounders last Saturday. The club surrendered all three goals from the 65th minute on.
“It was a decent performance through 60 minutes,” said St. Louis City coach Bradley Carnell. “I leave with two different emotions here. I learned that we can be adaptable when the game plan is derailed. … The last 25-30 minutes, we strayed away from our principles. There were some good things to look at and some poor things to look at, but we have to get better and move on.”
St. Louis will be without Njabulo Blom, who sustained a groin injury against the Sounders and will be out five to six weeks. Rasmus Alm, who missed the last two matches with a knee injury, returned to practice and could potentially start.
St. Louis needs Joao Klauss to get back onto the scoresheet against FC Cincinnati. He leads the team with five goals but has been blanked in the past two matches, as has his team.
–Field Level Media
