Pat Noonan is expecting Los Angeles FC to pose a tough test to FC Cincinnati, especially as they are coming off the back of their US Open Cup success.
Cincinnati sit second in the Eastern Conference and are currently unbeaten in four matches, alternating between a win and a draw in that run.
They let a lead slip twice in a 2-2 draw with Nashville SC last time out though, and Noonan knows his side cannot let their guard down at TQL Stadium on Saturday.
"[LAFC] are coming in on a high," Noonan said. "They're a very strong team. They just won a trophy, and rightfully so, they should be coming in with good energy and excitement.
"They've won some [finals], they've lost some, but they have experience in getting there and knowing what those games look like.
"So, this isn't a final, but what you've come to expect from them is a team that knows how to get to big games and play in big games."
LAFC had lost each of their last four finals before Wednesday's triumph but put that behind them to beat Sporting Kansas City 3-1.
In MLS, they are fourth in the Western Conference, having failed to win any of their last five games.
Head coach Steve Cherundolo was pleased with their Cup success but acknowledged that they still had big improvements to make in the league.
"The theme of the last couple of weeks is that we've been hurting ourselves. Teams were not beating us, we were beating ourselves," Cherundolo said.
"That's troublesome and frustrating, but it's also a good problem to have. It means we're in control of our own destiny and this team understands that."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
FC Cincinnati – Luciano Acosta
Luciano Acosta has recorded 90 goal contributions over the last three seasons (39 goals, 51 assists).
He is just the second player in MLS history to record at least 90 goal contributions over a three-season span (Sebastian Giovinco – 92 from 2015-17).
Los Angeles FC – Mateusz Bogusz
Mateusz Bogusz has recorded a goal contribution in each of his last seven appearances on the road.
There has been only one longer single-season streak since the start of the 2020 season: Gustavo Bou – eight straight in 2021.
MATCH PREDICTION: FC CINCINNATI WIN
Cincinnati have won just three of their last eight regular-season home matches (D1 L4). They have scored 14 goals in the three wins in that time but managed just two goals in the other five matches.
Los Angeles won each of their first two meetings with Cincinnati, recording a 2-0 win in Los Angeles in April 2019 and a 2-1 win in Cincinnati in April 2022. LAFC are the only opponent Cincinnati have faced more than once in regular season play and have never come away with a point.
However, LAFC are winless in five straight regular season matches (D2 L3) following a 3-1 loss at FC Dallas on Saturday. Los Angeles have had only one longer winless run in regular season play in club history, going eight straight without a win in July-August 2021.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
FC Cincinnati – 40.9%
Draw – 26.7%
Los Angeles FC – 32.5%
Khadija Shaw brace powers Manchester City to commanding 4-0 win over Leicester City in WSL
Jamaican forward Khadija "Bunny" Shaw delivered a stellar performance on Sunday, scoring twice as Manchester City Women cruised to a 4-0 victory over Leicester City in the Women’s Super League (WSL). Jess Park and Mary Fowler also found the net in a dominant display that underscored City’s title ambitions.
The win was a much-needed bounce-back for Gareth Taylor’s side, who were coming off a disappointing loss to Chelsea. The victory keeps Manchester City second in the WSL standings and reinforces their strong start to the season.
City wasted no time asserting their dominance, with Shaw finding the back of the net just two minutes into the match. Kerstin Casparij whipped in a pinpoint cross, and the Jamaican striker rose above the Leicester defense to head home from close range.
Shaw doubled her tally in the 22nd minute, this time benefiting from Leila Ouahabi’s precision delivery from the left flank. The goal capped an electrifying first-half performance from Shaw, who showcased her aerial prowess and clinical finishing.
Jess Park made it 3-0 early in the second half with a stunning strike from distance, leaving Leicester’s goalkeeper with no chance. Mary Fowler completed the scoring with a superb half-volley after a defensive miscue from Leicester, sealing a comprehensive victory for City.
Despite the emphatic win, there was a minor concern for City late in the game as midfielder Jill Roord required treatment for an apparent injury. Roord left the pitch as a precaution, and City finished the match with 10 players.
The result marks another chapter in Khadija Shaw’s sensational season, with the Reggae Girlz star continuing to cement her reputation as one of the league’s top strikers. Manchester City will look to carry this momentum into their next fixture as they push for WSL glory.
Galaxy dedicate record-extending MLS Cup triumph to 'special' Puig
The LA Galaxy won a record-extending sixth MLS Cup title with a 2-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, with their triumph motivated by Riqui Puig's injury.
The Galaxy found themselves two goals in front after 13 minutes thanks to strikes from Joseph Paintsil and Dejan Joveljic before Sean Nealis reduced the deficit.
Greg Vanney's side were able to hang on to seal the victory after the break, with many of the Galaxy players paying tribute to the absent Puig.
The Spaniard missed Saturday's showpiece after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in their Western Conference final victory over the Seattle Sounders.
Puig had been instrumental for the Galaxy this season, registering 31 goal involvements (17 goals, 14 assists) across all competitions.
He also created more chances (70) than any of his Galaxy team-mates, who dedicated their victory to Puig.
"It’s really special," said Mark Delgado. “When Riqui went down in the last game, and that final whistle blew, we were all happy. But to see him go down, we all felt so sad for him.
"It was just more of a motivation and another reason to step out there and win. A brother of ours went down, and we got to win this thing. We’re so happy to win this for him.”
After opening the scoring in the ninth minute, Paintsil was swarmed by his team-mates after tucking his shot past the onrushing Carlos Coronel.
But among the madness, the Ghanaian looked to the bench to grab Puig’s jersey and raise it toward the Galaxy faithful, with Joveljic following suit after his strike.
“This guy is unbelievable. One of the best players in the league, Riqui," added Diego Fagundez. “And today showed, even though he wasn’t on the field, we’re a family in here.
"We’re with each other so much that we’re like brothers. And it doesn’t matter if someone goes down, we’re all together. And today, we did it for him, and we did it for ourselves.”
“The first message that he said before we were in the huddle was ‘don’t do it for me, do it for each other,’ and that’s the right kind of mentality we want to have.
"He, as a player, he deserves everything. I know this is what he wanted.”
Puig was in the stands to support his side during the match, and despite not being able to help on the pitch, the Spaniard expressed his gratitude to his team-mates.
“Honestly, I’m very happy," Puig told MLS El Resumen. “It’s been a very complicated week for me, but people are giving me a lot of support, sending me messages.
"I apologise for not being able to respond to almost anybody because it’s been really complicated for me to face this type of injury.
"I was very afraid of it, even more so for nine months, to wait for this match. And I think today the team played spectacularly.”
Dortmund will learn from Gladbach draw, says 'hurt' Sahin
Nuri Sahin was left "hurt" and frustrated after his Borussia Dortmund team were pegged back to a 1-1 draw by Borussia Monchengladbach.
Dortmund took the lead through Jamie Gittens in the 75th minute of Saturday's Bundesliga contest, but hosts Gladbach swiftly hit back when Kevin Stoger converted a penalty.
Gladbach were reduced to 10 in stoppage time when substitute Tomas Cvancara received two bookings in quick succession, but Dortmund were made to settle for a draw.
It means Sahin's team, who created three big chances – defined as an opportunity from which a player would reasonably be expected to score – and had 16 shots, have still not won an away game in the league this term.
"It is frustrating that we did not kill off the game, that we did not score a second goal," said Sahin, who saw his goalkeeper Gregor Kobel make a fine save late on to deny Robin Hack.
"It hurts and is maybe more frustrating than the away defeats before. But we will learn from this."
Dortmund also lost Niklas Sule and Maximilian Beier to injury.
And the duo are now doubts for Dortmund's Champions League meeting with Barcelona next week.
"This is like a bad joke to be honest," said Sahin, who has had to grapple with a long injury list all seen.
"I don't know if I have done something wrong to have that many injures.
"Obviously after having taken them off, they are doubtful for Wednesday."
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