Orlando City SC vs FC Cincinnati: MLS Preview, Team News & Form Guide
Orlando City SC resume their Major League Soccer campaign on August 15 when they host FC Cincinnati in a Regular Season - 19 clash that pits a Lions side toiling through a grueling run of fixtures against one of the league's most potent attacks. The two Eastern Conference rivals last met on May 23, a match that produced nine total goals.
Cincinnati ran out 6-2 winners that night at TQL Stadium, and they arrive in this fixture in formidable scoring form. According to Goal.com, Pat Noonan's side have recorded four wins from their last five matches across all competitions, netting 18 goals in that stretch. A 4-2 victory over San Jose Earthquakes and a 4-3 win against Vancouver Whitecaps underscore a team that scores freely, while a 2-1 defeat to Columbus Crew remains the only blemish on their recent record.
The Lions, by contrast, have been balancing Leagues Cup commitments with domestic duties. They return to MLS play off the back of a 2-1 home loss to Liga MX side León on August 8. Head coach Martín Perelman saw his team surrender a lead at home, with goals from Jordi Cortizo and Daniel Arcila overturning an early advantage despite eight saves from goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau. Orlando City sit sixth in their Leagues Cup group and face Atlético de San Luis on Wednesday in a final Phase One match where only a regulation win keeps their knockout-round hopes alive.
Team News and Injury Latest
Orlando City's squad has been stretched by international duty and the Leagues Cup schedule. Midfielder Braian Ojeda is unavailable after undergoing foot surgery, with Orlando City B midfielder Issah Haruna drafted onto the Leagues Cup roster in his place. Marco Pašalić made his return from a spell out that dated back to the May 23 meeting with Cincinnati, having not played for the Lions before representing Croatia at the World Cup, per the Orlando Sentinel.
For FC Cincinnati, managed by Pat Noonan, no confirmed injury or suspension updates were available at the time of writing. Goal.com notes that a probable lineup has not yet been released ahead of this fixture. The same report confirms Cincinnati are coming off a comfortable 4-2 win over San Jose in their most recent outing.