Two sides that know each other very well will renew acquaintances again at TQL Stadium as FC Cincinnati hosts Philadelphia Union in the Leagues Cup Round of 16. Cincinnati arrived at this stage thanks to a penalty-kick win over Santos Laguna after a 1-1 draw. Philadelphia Union was able to move through after defeating CF Montréal 2-0. The winner of this match will meet either Cruz Azul or Mazatlán in the quarterfinals.
Philadelphia has gotten healthier as the tournament has progressed, and after getting Nate Harriel and Jack McGlynn back from Olympic duty, they are as close to full strength as they have been all season. They will need it with all the overlap between these two sides, from the front office to the coaching bench down to players who have worn both strips. “Whether we play in the preseason or whether we play in games in the playoffs or whether we play in Leagues Cup in an elimination game, we tend to bring the best out of each other.” Philadelphia coach Jim Curtin stated.
One only needs to look back at their last meeting: a 4-3 classic on June 19 that was not decided until late. Very late.
Tai Baribo had a brace in a losing effort back in June, and he is among the scoring leaders in the Leagues Cup thanks to his brace against Montréal.
FC Cincinnati have scored six goals in three Leagues Cup games, and 2023 MLS MVP Luciano Acosta was not involved in any of them. Acosta made his first appearance in the Leagues as a second half sub against Santos and scored one of FCC’s 6 penalties. Philadelphia knows first hand how dangerous he can be. “We expect him to start. He is the MVP of our league for a reason. We have to do a good job knowing where he is at all times. He is not a guy you can shut down for 90 minutes.” Curtin said.
Despite not having Acosta on the field, FC Cincy’s offense has hummed along nicely in the Leagues Cup. Coming into the round of 16, their 8.23 expected goals are the highest in the tournament, and five different players have scored so far, including this banger by Luca Orellano to put FCC on level terms against Santos.
This match all comes down to familiarity, though, as former Union assistant coach and current Cincinnati coach Pat Noonan can attest. “You have very competitive teams that know how to win. It has made for very tight games. One play, whether it is creativity of finding a goal or a mistake, it’s small margins. It makes for a good, intense game and that is certainly what we expect.”
