Cincinnati FC vs FC Dallas

Cincinnati FC’s pursuit of a top-table finish in the Eastern Conference continues at TQL Stadium against Major League Soccer underachievers FC Dallas.

A disheartening 4-2 defeat at Atlanta United last time out knocked Cincinnati down from a three-game unbeaten MLS streak (W2, D1), leaving them a point adrift of Eastern Conference leaders Philadelphia Union. However, the hosts look good value to immediately return to winning ways at TQL Stadium, where they’ve won five of their six league games this season (D1), including the last three in a row via single-goal margins. Though regular on the scoresheet, Pat Noonan’s men haven’t scored more than two goals in any of their six MLS home fixtures, netting precisely twice on four occasions. However, they’ve failed to hit that landmark in both previous MLS meetings with Dallas (W1, L1), though both came on the road. 

As for Dallas, a point here would be massive, not least because they’ve claimed just one in the last four MLS rounds (D1, L3). Back-to-back league defeats ‘to nil’ in the build-up to this trip don’t bode well, heightening the pressure on the visitors, who trail 9th-placed Austin FC by three points in the Western Conference. However, it’s worth noting that Los Toros have collected 75% of their MLS points away from home (12/16) despite losing their last two league games on hostile turf via a combined score of 6-0. On the bright side, Eric Quill’s side had avoided defeat on all six previous MLS travels (W3, D3), conceding under 1.5 goals four times.