Pat Noonan is not placing too much focus on reports that inclement weather could impact FC Cincinnati’s clash with the New England Revolution, as he targets more attacking improvements.
Cincinnati welcome New England to TQL Stadium on Saturday, with the Orange and Blue sitting six points above their opponents in the Eastern Conference, on 10 points.
Heavy rain is expected to hit the area throughout the weekend, leading to suggestions the game will be played in less-than-ideal conditions.
But Noonan is preparing as normal, telling reporters: “I don’t want to put too much information in their heads early on to have them thinking about that.
“I want them thinking about New England and us and how we can go play the game.
“If we need to make some adjustments based on our arrival and what we see, that’s no different from any other game. So we’ll just see where we’re at on game day.”
Cincinnati beat Nashville SC 2-1 on the road last weekend, halting a run of three games without a win.
“I think in moments of our last couple games, we weren’t running hard enough in front of goal, and too many guys wanted the ball to be played to their feet,” Noonan said.
“We didn’t have enough guys either willing to run in front of goal, sacrificing themselves for opening up their team-mates. I think that’s gotten better.”
Plus three in Tennessee. pic.twitter.com/j2nsFdc2oi
— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) March 31, 2025
New England, meanwhile, earned their first win of the season against the New York Red Bulls last week, triumphing 2-1.
Defender Tanner Beason made his debut as a first-half substitute following an injury to Wyatt Omsberg, and he has credited the spirit within the Revs’ squad.
“It’s a nice group of people, coaches, staff, players,” Beason told The Blazing Musket. “We like playing soccer, but it’s fun to get together off the field.
“It’s obviously good for us to be together and comfortable on the field, but also comfortable with each other as people too, because I think that helps and translates to the pitch.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
FC Cincinnati – Evander
Evander scored a direct free-kick goal for the second straight match in Cincinnati’s win last Saturday.
He is the first player to score a direct free-kick goal on consecutive MLS appearances since Ezequiel Barco for Atlanta United in September 2021.
Copy, paste, goal. pic.twitter.com/pXd3CtNtvf
— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) April 3, 2025
New England Revolution – Carles Gil
Gil scored both goals for the Revolution in their win over the Red Bulls last week, including the winner in the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time.
It was the latest winning goal scored by New England in the last 15 MLS seasons, and he will hope for another decisive intervention here.
MATCH PREDICTION – FC CINCINNATI WIN
New England ended an eight-match winless run (one draw, seven defeats) dating back to last season with their 2-1 home victory over the Red Bulls.
However, the Revs are winless in their last eight on the road (one draw, seven defeats) dating back to last August.
New England are unbeaten in five all-time away matches against Cincinnati (four wins, one draw) with Cincinnati’s only ever home point against the Revs coming in 2023.
The Orange and Blue have not won consecutive matches in a single regular season since a three-match run in June and July last year, but they are favourites to do so here.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
FC Cincinnati – 59.5%
New England Revolution – 19.3%
Draw – 21.1%
