As FC Cincinnati coach Pat Noonan updated reporters about his injury-riddled roster on Thursday, there wasn’t a lot of positive news.
Saturday night when Cincinnati (4-2-1, 13 points) plays at D.C. United (1-3-3, 6 points), the visitors are likely to field a makeshift lineup for the second straight week.
Sunday in a 1-0 win at home over the New England Revolution, Cincinnati overcame the absence of five starters and the presence of a few other players at unfamiliar positions.
Among those whose status is unclear for Saturday is the dynamic Evander, who leads the team with four goals and is “day-to-day,” according to Noonan, with a knee injury.
Also uncertain are Miles Robinson (leg), Yuya Kubo (leg) and Matt Miazga (knee). Obinna Nwobodo (leg) was termed a “game-time decision,” Noonan said. Teenage Hadebe (leg) has returned to practice but is a “couple of weeks away,” the coach added.
Despite the injuries, Cincinnati enters in fine form, gunning for its third straight victory. Kevin Denkey has scored three goals and Pavel Bucha has delivered two assists, including the helper that set up Sergio Santos for the game’s lone goal against New England.
On the flip side, D.C. United is reeling after a humiliating 6-1 loss Sunday at lowly San Jose. It was D.C.’s third straight defeat after opening the year without a loss in its first four matches.
The Black and Red have surrendered 12 goals during the skid and an MLS-high 17 this year.
“This is something we’re really gonna evaluate hard,” D.C. United coach Troy Lesesne said. “We have the personnel to do a lot better than what we’re doing right now.”
D.C. United looks to Christian Benteke to help spark the team out of its funk. Benteke has scored five goals and won more aerial balls (59) than anyone in MLS by a wide margin.
“We talk oftentimes about the aerial threat that he is when they play direct,” Noonan said. “As far as attacking the box in crossing moments, there are few who are better.”
–Field Level Media
