FC Cincinnati boss Pat Noonan didn’t hold back in his criticism of his players following their 3-3 draw with FC Dallas. Noonan described their second-half performance as “embarrassing” after squandering a 2-0 lead at halftime. Despite sitting second in the Eastern Conference standings, Noonan emphasized that his team still has a long way to go before they can be considered serious contenders this season.
Looking ahead to their upcoming match against D.C. United, Noonan will be expecting a much-improved display from his side. D.C. United, on the other hand, will be buoyed by Gabriel Pirani’s late equalizer in their recent draw with the New England Revolution, ending a four-game goal drought.
Key players to watch in this weekend’s clash include Gerardo Valenzuela for FC Cincinnati, who has been in fine form recently, and Gabriel Pirani for D.C. United, who will be looking to make an impact in Christian Benteke’s absence.
In terms of predictions, Cincinnati have the edge based on their recent form and home record, with Opta giving them a 61.3% chance of victory. D.C. United will be hoping to cause an upset and improve on their recent away form, but the odds are stacked against them.
