Eastern Conference-leading FC Cincinnati will look to return to their winning ways when they host the streaking, second-place New England Revolution on Saturday night.
Cincinnati (13-2-4, 43 points) dropped a 3-0 decision to D.C. United last Saturday, ending an unbeaten run of 10 games that included eight victories.
The Orange-and-Blue still enter the weekend with a seven-point cushion over New England (10-3-6, 36 points) for first place in the East and in the Supporters’ Shield chase.
After a first-half last week, in which two D.C. United defenders scored their first goals for their clubs, FC Cincinnati manager Pat Noonan elected to believe that it was more of a case of poor fortune than poor performance.
“I wasn’t overly disappointed in the first half despite the score line, and I think the guys understood that as well,” Noonan said. “We couldn’t take advantage at times of space behind and the timing of it and the movement. But we take the loss and move on.”
Cincinnati still will be without center back Matt Miazga and forward Brandon Vazquez, who are both away with the U.S. Men’s National Team at the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Sergio Santos could be set to take a starting role at forward in Noonan’s preferred 3-4-1-2 formation after coming on as a substitute against D.C. following a few weeks out with an injury.
Luciano Acosta leads Cincinnati with nine goals and will search for a career-high tying 10th at home, where his side is perfect so far this season at 10-0-0.
New England has won three in a row and is unbeaten in its last six, in a run that has been helped by stellar goalkeeping from Djordje Petrovic.
The 23-year-old Serbian international — who is expected to eventually make a move to one of the major European leagues — is a Goalkeeper of the Year contender.
Petrovic has kept six clean sheets — tied for fifth in the league — and with a 77.3 save percentage is second in MLS behind only Nashville’s Joe Willis.
“What makes any goalkeeper special is making saves. And he’s been exceptional at that,” said Revs manager and former goalkeeper Bruce Arena. “He’s got good range as a goalkeeper. Athletically very good. And he continues to improve.”
Carles Gil leads the Revs with seven goals, three shy of his career high set in his MLS debut season in 2019.
–Field Level Media