Fresh off the back of clinching the 2024 US Open Cup title, Los Angeles FC return to action in MLS when they journey to the TQL Stadium to face FC Cincinnati on Saturday.
Having lost the previous two meetings between the two teams, the Orange and Blue will head into the weekend looking to get one over the visitors and keep within touching distance of Eastern Conference leaders Inter Miami.
Match preview
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With just four games to go in the regular season, Cincinnati must avoid dropping any points and also hope for favourable results elsewhere as they look to secure their first-ever MLS conference title.
The Orange and Blue have picked up 17 wins and five draws from their 30 league matches so far to collect 56 points and sit second in the Eastern Conference standings, eight points behind leaders Inter Miami.
Cincinnati kept their slim title hopes alive last Sunday as they fought back from behind twice in the game to salvage a thrilling 2-2 draw against Nashville when the two sides squared off at Geodis Park.
English striker Sam Surridge scored on either side of Luciano Acosta's ninth-minute equaliser to hand Nashville a first-half lead, but Luca Orellano struck seven minute after the restart to force a share of the spoils.
Pat Noonan's men have now gone four consecutive MLS matches without defeat, picking up two wins and two draws while scoring eight goals and conceding four, having lost each of their four league games preceding this run.
While Cincinnati will be looking to move within five points of Inter Miami this weekend, they will meet to show their mettle against an opposing side whom they suffered defeats against in their two previous encounters, losing 2-0 away from home in April 2019, two years before they were beaten 2-1 at the TQL Stadium.
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On the other hand, it was a memorable night for Los Angeles FC as they clinched their first-ever US Open Cup title on Wednesday when they secured a 3-1 extra-time victory over Sporting Kansas City at the BMO Stadium.
Following a goalless first half, Los Angeles drew first blood in the 53rd minute through Olivier Giroud, and after Erik Thommy restored parity on the hour mark to take the game to extra-time, Omar Campos and Kei Kamara hit the target to seal the title.
Head coach Steven Cherundolo will hope that the cup triumph can serve as a springboard for a fine run of form as Los Angeles will be looking to end the MLS regular season as strong as they can, following their disappointing collapse in recent weeks.
Los Angeles return to action in the league, where they have failed to win any of their last five matches, losing three and claiming two draws since picking up a 3-0 victory over Seattle Sounders at Lumen Field on July 21.
This drop-off in form has severely hampered the Black and Gold's title chances in the East as they have dropped into fourth place in the Western Conference standings, nine points adrift of first-placed Los Angeles Galaxy, albeit with one game in hand.
Team News
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Cincinnati will take to the pitch without the services of 24-year-old defender Ian Murphy, who is currently suspended after crossing the yellow card threshold with his booking against Nashville last Sunday.
On the injury front, Noonan will be unable to call upon several players down the spine of the team as Matthew Miazga (knee), Alec Kann (hip) and Nick Hagglund (leg) all continue their spells on the sidelines.
Isaiah Foster has been out of action since coming off with a knee problem back in July while Czech midfielder Patel Bucha is available for selection after missing the Nashville game for personal reasons.
On the other hand, Los Angeles FC remain without the defensive duo of Lorenzo Dellavalle and 30-year-old Jesus Murillo, who are currently recuperating from knee injuries.
Having missed three consecutive games through a leg injury, Cristian Olivera returned to action in Wednesday's cup victory over Sporting Kansas City and the Uruguay international could be handed a starting role this weekend.
Giroud netted just his second goal in Los Angeles colours on Wednesday since his move from Italian giants AC Milan and the ex-France international will be looking to open his account in MLS at the TQL Stadium.
FC Cincinnati possible starting lineup:
Celentano; Awaziem, Robinson, Hadebe; Orellano, Nwobodo, Acosta, Kubo, Asad; Gioacchini, Santos
Los Angeles FC possible starting lineup:
Hasal; Hollingshead, Chanot, Segura, Campos; Tillman, Atuesta, O'Brien; Martinez, Bouanga, Olivera
We say: FC Cincinnati 2-1 Los Angeles FC
Buoyed by their cup triumph, Los Angeles FC will return to league action with renewed confidence as they look to finish the regular season on a high. However, Cincinnati are in hot pursuit of Inter Miami in the West and given their impressive home form of late, we fancy the Orange and Blue to grab a narrow victory this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joshua Ojele
