Damon gumbert
“I could talk about a lot of things. Stats, good behaviors. In the end, we lost an important game, and that’s what matters,” Head Coach Pat Noonan said to open his post match presser.
It’s hard to talk about what happened in this match and not use some stats. It doesn’t change the fact that The FC failed once again to overcome their biggest rival, getting swept on the season by Columbus despite having a better overall record than them. But it may change the way you felt about the match, if only a small amount.
FC Cincinnati notched 23 shots on the night, with eight of those shots being on target, won the xG battle 1.9 to .3, and controlled 64% possession. On a different night we would be talking about how excellent the offense played.
This night, it’s more about why they weren’t able to convert on those chances.
A lot of those shots came later in the match when Columbus was already leading and had switched into a Park the Bus play style. For much of the second half they had a full back line of five players, with their three centerbacks and two wingbacks. That makes it very hard to get into the box and convert chances.
It didn’t help that players for the Orange and Blue looked indecisive on their shots. On multiple occasions it appeared that players were making extra moves and holding on to the ball when in the past they had been more willing to just send a shot in. Whether that’s a testament to the Columbus defense or as Pat Noonan said, “a lack of urgency,” can be debated.
Early in the match you could see a plan from FC Cincinnati, play the ball out wide and cross it in, hoping to catch Crew goalkeeper Pat Schulte off guard. Tyrell Malacia was sending in some very dangerous balls and FCC was able to put some good shots on frame, but to Schulte’s credit he was up to the task.
Even after Columbus went up 1-0 in the 22nd minute the offense looked dangerous. The defense, which after an injury to Julian Malatini, consisted of Nick Hagglund, Teenage Hadebe, and Sam Gidi, had done just enough to keep the offense in the match.
The first goal was during an unfortunate time where Malacia was off the field after getting rocked on a play and Hagglund had just entered the match for Malatini. Columbus caught an undermanned, unprepared defense sleeping on a corner kick and gave up a wide open chance from Gonzalo Tapia to head home the goal.
After that, things settled into a nice rhythm for Cincinnati. While they were still not able to even things up, they looked capable of doing that.
Then, after halftime, Columbus scored again. There’s no defending the defense on this goal. They got beat, straight up. Tapia found Taha Habroune in the middle of the box and he put the ball past a diving Roman Celentano.
It was after this goal that things got harder for Cincinnati. Columbus parked their bus and went fully defensive while Cincy attempted over and over to get balls into the box to their superstars.
Ender Echenique, who subbed in for David Doudera after the second goal, added a quick spark to the offense and had a few great moments that almost led to something, but even with that shot in the arm the offense looked outmatched.
I think it’s safe to say that if the defense keeps one of those two goals out that the offense has a better chance later because Columbus doesn’t go full defensive mode.
My previous article about the defense can sum up my feelings about this match as well.
I’ve seen this quote from Noonan going around on socials, “We know it’s not acceptable. I can sit up here, the players can sit up here and say, you know, we’re sorry. I don’t think they’re giving up or not trying. We’re just not good enough to get results, and that’s the difference right now.”
I think the rest of his quote is also interesting. “I don’t expect the fans to be happy, to accept this, nobody in the other (players) room does. So we just have to keep pushing and not feel sorry for ourselves and see if we can turn our fortunes around and finish out the season in the best way possible.”
FC Cincinnati still occupy a play-in game spot for the playoffs, being tied at 36 points with Toronto FC and New York Red Bulls. Columbus now sits one point behind all three teams with 35 points. Cincinnati will need as many points as possible over the final stretch of matches to stay in a potential playoff spot, or even advance into a more solid position.
That will be hard with their final three matches against Inter Miami, Philadelphia Union, and Nashville SC. Two matches with DC United this week could be a decider on if this team makes the playoffs. If The FC fails to make the playoffs, there will be uncomfortable conversations about where the staff go from here.
