FC Cincinnati have yet to lose a home match in 2023, while it’s been nearly 10 months since Toronto FC won on the road.
MLS-leading Cincinnati will aim for a league-record 13th straight home victory, spanning all competitions, to begin the season while trying to keep Toronto winless for a 12th consecutive road match on Wednesday night.
FC Cincinnati (12-1-4, 40 points) have been the class of MLS in 2023, and their 12-0-0 overall home mark equals the 2002 San Jose Earthquakes for the longest all-competitions home winning streak to open a season. Cincinnati has outscored its opponents 21-6 in those 12 matches, which includes three U.S. Open Cup contests, since falling 3-2 to Chicago at home on Oct. 1, 2022.
Pat Noonan’s side hasn’t played since a 1-1 draw at Vancouver on June 10. With the comings and goings of players due to fitness and various international duties, it will present a challenge to continue this run of success.
“Trying to get guys as comfortable as possible,” Noonan said. “I’m looking forward to how they go out and compete.”
Cincinnati’s Luciano Acosta continues to compete at a high level with a goal in each of his last three MLS games. He’s scored seven of his eight goals in the last seven matches. Acosta has also scored in three straight matches versus Toronto.
The Reds (3-5-10, 19 points), though they’re amid a 1-0-3 stretch, have been outscored 24-8 while going 0-7-4 on the road since a 2-0 victory at Charlotte FC on Aug. 27, 2022.
Toronto FC, who recorded a third consecutive draw in their most recent match, 1-1 versus Nashville SC on June 10, understand the challenge this week. However, they won’t worry about what can’t be controlled.
“We’re just focused on ourselves,” Toronto defender Brandon Servania said. “We know (Cincinnati is) a good opponent, but if we can do what we know we can, it should be good.”
Lorenzo Insigne has scored in each of his last two MLS contests for Toronto, which has dropped four of the last five versus FC Cincinnati.
–Field Level Media
