Seeking to make it four wins on the bounce, a rejuvenated New England Revolution journey to the TQL Stadium to face FC Cincinnati on Saturday.
The Orange and Blue head into the weekend unbeaten in their last seven games against the Revs — including three wins in their most recent three encounters — and will look to extend this impressive run.
Match preview
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Cincinnati turned in another superb attacking display as they came out victorious in a nail-biting seven-goal thriller with Philadelphia Union at the TQL Stadium on Tuesday night.
In a back-and-forth affair, Tai Baribo struck in the 91st minute to hand the Union what seemed to be a hard-fought point on the road, but Luciano Acosta netted with the last significant kick of the game to give the hosts a dramatic 4-3 win.
The Orange and Blue have now won all but one of their last 10 matches since the third week of April, with a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Nashville on May 30 being the exception.
This blistering run of form has seen Pat Noonan's men surge to second place in the Eastern Conference standings, eight points above second-placed New York Red Bulls and two points off leaders Inter Miami, albeit with one game in hand.
Cincinnati's impressive first half of the season has been owing to the solid job done in attack, where they have scored at least three goals in three of their last four matches and currently boast the joint second-best record in the East (31).
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New England Revolution, on the other hand, continue their push from the doldrums as they held firm to see out a 3-2 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps.
In a thrilling contest at the Gillette Stadium, Noel Buck, Giacomo Vrioni and Esmir Bajraktarevic all found the back of the net to inspire the hosts to a narrow victory, with Ryan Gauld netting a brace for the Whitecaps.
Caleb Porter's men have now won each of their last three matches, seeing off Nashville, New York Red Bulls and Vancouver Whitecaps while scoring six goals and conceding three since losing three consecutive games back in May.
Despite this upturn in form, New England Revolution remain rooted to the bottom of the Eastern Conference table but could move level with 11th-placed DC United with all three points on Saturday.
To do so, the Revs will need to be at their best at the TQL Stadium as they take on a Cincinnati side who have won each of their most recent three meetings and are unbeaten in their last seven, claiming four wins and three draws since a 3-2 loss in May 2022.
Team News
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Cincinnati will have to cope without 27-year-old defender Miles Robinson, who is currently away with the United States national team at the ongoing Euro 2024.
On the injury front, Noonan will be unable to name forward Corey Baird, who is set to sit out his seventh consecutive game after suffering a hip injury against Columbus Crew on May 12.
Matthew Miazga missed Tuesday's game against Philadelphia Union through a leg injury and the 28-year-old is a major doubt for the Orange and Blue.
Acosta scored twice and set up another in a superb individual display on Wednesday and the Argentine forward, who now has 22 goal involvements this season, will be one to watch.
New England Revolution will take to the pitch without several players down the spine of the team, with the likes of Bobby Wood (calf), Ryan Spaulding (hamstring) and Tomas Chancalay (knee) all on the sidelines.
Spanish forward Nacho Gil has missed the last seven matches through a knee injury while 33-year-old Thomas McNamara is recuperating from a hamstring problem.
American defender Brandon Bye continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines while Henrich Ravas is on duty with Slovakia at the ongoing Euro 2024.
FC Cincinnati possible starting lineup:
Celentano; Hagglund, Powell, Murphy; Yedlin, Orellano, Nwobodo, Bucha; Acosta, Kelsy, Kubo
New England Revolution possible starting lineup:
Ivacic; Lima, Romney, Arreaga, Jones; Farrell, Harkes; Bajraktarevic, Gil, Borrero; Vrioni
We say: FC Cincinnati 3-1 New England Revolution
While the Revs will be looking to pick up where they left off against Vancouver Whitecaps and continue their fine run of results, they take on a well-drilled Cincinnati side who have won nine of their last 10 matches. The Revs have picked up just two points in seven away matches this season and we see them struggling at the TQL Stadium.
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Joshua Ojele
