When FC Cincinnati coach Pat Noonan updated reporters about his injury-Riddled program list on Thursday, there were not many positive news.
Saturday night when Cincinnati (4-2-1, 13 points) plays at DC United (1-3-3, 6 points), visitors will probably set a provisional range for the second straight week.
Sunday in a 1-0 victory at home over the New England Revolution, Cincinnati overcame the absence of five starters and the presence of some other players in unknown positions.
Among those whose status is unclear for Saturday is the dynamic Evander, who leads the team with four goals and is “day to day”, according to Noonan, with a knee injury.
Also uncertain are Miles Robinson (Ben), Yuya Kubo (Ben) and Matt Miazga (knee). Obinna Nwobodo (Ben) was referred to as a “playing time decision,” Noonan said. Teenage Harbe (Ben) has returned to the training but is a “couple of weeks away”, the coach added.
Despite the injuries, Cincinnati comes into fine form and shoots for its third straight victory. Kevin Denkey has scored three goals and Pavel Bucha has delivered two assists, including the helper who created Sergio Santos for the game’s lone goals against New England.
On the back, DC United rolls after a degrading 6-1 loss on Sunday at Lowly San Jose. It was DC’s third straight defeat after opening the year without loss in the first four matches.
The black and red have handed 12 goals under the ski and an MLS-Hög 17 this year.
“This is something we will really evaluate hard,” said DC United coach Troy Lesne. “We have the staff to do much better than we do right now.”
DC United looks at Christian Benteke to help spark the team out of their funk. Benteke has scored five goals and won more aircraft (59) than anyone in MLS by a large margin.
“We often talk about the flight threat he is when they play directly,” Noonan said. “When it comes to attacking the box in crossing moments, few are better.”
-Field level media
