FC Cincinnati return to MLS Cup playoffs action for a showdown with Philadelphia Union in the Eastern Conference semifinals after having just over two weeks off to rest and prepare for the contest.
The Orange and Blue last took the field on November 4, when a penalty shootout with New York Red Bulls decided who would move on to the Conference semifinals. Cincinnati prevailed but it came at a cost: 2023 MLS Defender of the Year Matt Miazga was shown a second yellow card during the shootout, meaning he's currently slated to miss the decisive contest with the Union on November 25.
However, the Supporters' Shield champs have since taken time to regroup and get healthy due to November's FIFA international break coinciding with the postseason.
However, the team will still be without defender Nick Hagglund, who underwent surgery earlier this month repair a hamstring tendon problem, leaving head coach Pat Noonan light in regard to his center-back options with Miazga's status still in the air.
"We need to prepare a scenario that doesn't involve [Miazga]," Noonan said after the narrow game two victory against New York on November 4. "Matt knows better. We shouldn't be missing him for the next round, it's as simple as that."
Even though Noonan might have to put together a makeshift defense on Saturday at TQL Stadium, he chooses to see the team's lengthy break from play in a positive light.
"While it's less than ideal it really helped us for for guys working their way back from injuries because the reality is if we were to play the week following [the game at Red Bull Arena] we would have had a lot of guys who wouldn’t be able to go," said Noonan. "Because we had this time we tried to make sure that with some of our guys, we were just more diligent and on the safer side."
When preparing to play a team like the Union, this break for the Orange and Blue just might actually end up coming at the right time given how physical and intense Philadelphia can be during games.
"The first week was really just let's see who we have available and let's just work on some of our own ideas," Noonan added. "But the reality is we've had so many guys that have needed extra recovery and with the guys that are away with international duty it's been hard to do too much you know tactically until these last couple days. I think we'll certainly have enough time with the people that are now joining training to be prepared [for the game on Saturday]."
The clash, unlike the first round of postseason action, is a single elimination contest with the winner advancing to the Eastern Conference final to take on either Orlando City or Columbus Crew.
Sign up now for MLS Season Pass on Apple TV to watch all the action from the 2023 Major League Soccer season. Click here to subscribe!
This article was originally published on 90min as FC Cincinnati gear up for Eastern Conference semifinal clash with Philadelphia Union.