FC Cincinnati praised the work Gregg Berhalter has finished since becoming a member of Chicago Hearth forward of the perimeters’ assembly in MLS on Saturday.
Cincinnati have made a powerful begin to the 2025 season, and sit third within the Japanese Convention, simply two factors behind early leaders Columbus Crew.
They’re at present on a four-match unbeaten streak, profitable every of their final three outings, and have suffered simply two defeats within the league up to now.
However Noonan acknowledged the problem posed by Chicago, who he believes have tailored effectively to life below Berhalter.
“Gregg’s finished a very good job. You may see concepts, you already know, evolving, getting higher,” Noonan mentioned.
“The outcomes, clearly, you already know, have been fairly good when you’re speaking a few new coach with a bunch of latest gamers.
“We’ve to be ready for quite a lot of ways in which the entrance three will apply stress, how the central gamers are urgent the ball. In order that’ll be an excellent problem.”
Inexperienced staff introduced out a customized trophy pic.twitter.com/5NTXAyKDJt
— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) April 18, 2025
Chicago are eighth within the desk, simply 4 factors behind Saturday’s opponents, having additionally misplaced simply two of their first eight matches this season.
They go into this recreation winless in three, although held Inter Miami to a 0-0 draw of their final outing.
Berhalter was happy with that efficiency, regardless of the shortage of objectives, and highlighted how proud he’s of the staff’s improvement below him up to now.
“I’ve been saying constantly since I’ve been right here that you may win each recreation and lose each recreation,” he mentioned.
“Irrespective of who the opponent is, we are able to put in a efficiency to beat them, however typically it doesn’t work that approach.
“For us, it’s actually about attempting to get higher all through this 12 months and if we hold doing that, we’ll be enjoying soccer.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Chicago Hearth – Chris Brady
Chicago’s scoreless draw with Inter Miami on Saturday was the membership’s first clear sheet since a 1-0 win over FC Cincinnati final July, with Chris Brady lastly capable of get pleasure from a shutout.
The 19 straight matches with no clear sheet in all competitions was the Hearth’s longest run with no shutout in membership historical past.
Our Supporters #cf97 pic.twitter.com/urCAskYfBe
— Chicago Hearth FC (@ChicagoFire) April 16, 2025
FC Cincinnati – Gerardo Valenzuela
All three victories in FC Cincinnati’s present profitable streak have come by one-goal margins, with Gerardo Valenzuela sealing the latest with a surprising solo purpose.
Because the begin of the 2023 season, Cincinnati have 32 wins by a one-goal margin, whereas no different staff has greater than 19.
MATCH PREDICTION: FC CINCINNATI WIN
Cincinnati have received 4 of their six visits to Chicago (D1 L1). Cincinnati’s 4 highway wins over Chicago equals their most towards any opponent in common season play (4 vs. Toronto FC).
Cincinnati have received three straight matches, with the final two every coming by 1-0 scorelines. That is the primary time Cincinnati have saved consecutive clear sheets in regular-season play since a run of three straight in March-April 2023.
In the meantime, Chicago are winless in 5 straight residence matches, although 4 of these have led to attracts (L1). The Hearth have received solely considered one of their final 10 at residence in all competitions courting again to final July (D5 L4).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Chicago Hearth – 30.8%
Draw – 25.1%
FC Cincinnati – 44.2%
