Nashville SC are back from the international break, kicking off a pivotal week with a trip to second-place FC Cincinnati.
For the latest on the Garys, we caught up with Laurel Pfahler, Publisher and Senior Writer at Queen City Press. Laurel does absolutely incredible work covering FC Cincinnati – make sure to check out her site and coverage at QueenCityPress.net.
Ben Wright
Ben Wright (SixOneFive Soccer): Cincinnati have been one of the best teams in MLS this season and are one of the Supporters' Shield contenders. What has gone well for them this year, and how would you describe their strengths?
Laurel Pfahler (Queen City Press): Up until recently, FC Cincinnati have been really good in close games. It hasn’t been as fun for the fans to watch because they keep waiting for a blowout win, and I am sure coach Pat Noonan’s blood pressure would be lower if it weren’t always so tight. But, his teams are 41-13 in one-goal games since the beginning of 2023. The Orange and Blue are 13-5 in those games this season.
I credit that mostly to how well they defend the box. Sometimes crosses in and set pieces have been an issue, but the 1-v-1 defending, recoveries and just how well players on the back line cover for one another have been pretty solid and for the most part, they really lock it down in those tight matches.
I would love to say this team’s attack is a strength, but for whatever reason, it’s been underwhelming for the talent on the pitch. Middle of the season it seemed like Kevin Denkey (13 goals) and Evander (16) might be competing with each other for the Golden Boot. They both have fallen behind in that race, though Denkey missed six games due to injury – three in MLS play, and most of a fourth when he came back in the 88th minute of a 1-0 loss to Charlotte on Aug. 10.
Perhaps more time with Brenner back in the mix, settling in with a lot of teammates he’s never played with before, will provide the boost the club was looking for with his summer window return on loan.
