The halfway point of the MLS regular season came at a good time for FC Cincinnati after a four-match winless spell. Following a shutout win in New England, the Orange and Blue’s current 10-day break could be advantageous for a group looking to refine units on both sides of the ball for the stretch run.
FC Cincinnati begins a three-game stretch over the next 11 days on Wednesday against CF Montréal.
Searching for consistency in the thick of a Supporters’ Shield race – tied for third on points – the Orange and Blue will try to win at Stade Saputo for the first time since 2019 against the struggling Canadian side.
Coach Pat Noonan said FC Cincinnati utilized its second straight extended break to focus on their defensive intensity against the ball and specific back line details, like how they shift and how they release off the line.
“The trainings (during the break) have allowed us to work and look at things more in-depth,” Noonan said. “We’ve had some good discussions just around our overall play.”
‘A lot to be challenged with’
CF Montréal may be stuck in the basement of the Eastern Conference, but FC Cincinnati has learned not to overlook any opponent.
Just last month, the Orange and Blue dropped points to three consecutive opponents below the playoff line and CF Montréal has shown some life after a coaching change in March.
Under interim coach Marco Donadel, CF Montréal has earned a point in six of 13 MLS contests (2-7-4) and opened the second half of the season with a 3-1 win over Houston Dynamo FC on June 14.
“They’ve really stepped up their pressure on the defensive side of the ball. You can see a change from what we saw previously,” Noonan said. “The one thing we have noticed is that there have been differences in each game that have them prepared to try and break down their next opponent. A lot to be challenged with.”
Forward Prince Owusu leads Montréal with six goals, including a brace in the win over the Dynamo. Noonan credited the German forward for his hold up play and presence in the box.
“He’s a good target,” Noonan said of Owusu. “Those are aspects of the last couple weeks that you know have really stood out, and certainly help their side.”
Likely part of the group tasked with shutting down Montréal’s Owusu-led front line is defender Matt Miazga, who just completed his first full 90 minutes after returning from a knee injury that kept him sidelined for a significant part of the 2024 season.
Noonan praised the 2023 MLS Defender of the Year’s organizational skills, communication and defense inside the box.
“We continue to try to push him, to get him physically (and) mentally back to what we saw before the injury, and he’s pushing himself in a really good way,” Noonan said of Miazga.
‘What matters now is results’
Kévin Denkey, FC Cincinnati’s top scorer with 11 goals, has been a steady force, and the Orange and Blue could search for him to produce again versus Montréal.
Denkey, who has scored in three consecutive matches, said he has become more consistent since arriving in Cincinnati, emphasizing growing relationships with his teammates. Noonan echoed that point, while also applauding the the forward’s development when holding up the ball.
“I’m pleased with where Kevin’s at at the moment, as far as production, and I like the fact that he’s consistently looking to get better (and to) continue to improve his relationships with his teammates, so that our group improves,” Noonan said.
Denkey highlighted the role of attackers when the team doesn’t have the ball, saying that forwards are the “first defenders” on a team. He said the front line should focus on its press and compact shape to thrive in upcoming matches.
The Togolese attacker also stressed the importance of outcomes in latter half of the season.
“What matters now is results, because we are in the second part of the season, and what counts is points and wins,” he said. “We won the last game (which) is also really important. (We only had) one goal, but we had the clean sheet. And is how you win things, (how you) win titles.”
Noonan said Nick Hagglund (injury) and Miles Robinson (international duty) remain unavailable against CF Montréal, while Sérgio Santos’s status is “to be determined,” noting that the forward’s knock is not a long-term injury.
FC Cincinnati will also face Orlando City SC during this two-game week before returning to TQL Stadium to face Chicago on Saturday, July 5.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: FC Cincinnati continues road stretch vs. CF Montreal at Stade Saputo