FC Cincinnati will have an opportunity to sweep their regular-season series with Orlando City on Friday when the two sides meet at TQL Stadium with kickoff at 2:30 am.

The Orange and Blue are winless in three league matches. Pat Noonan may not have this team at the level he wants at the moment, but after 15 games, the former Philadelphia Union assistant has them performing much better than we have seen in any of their previous campaigns.

After finishing dead last overall in each of their three domestic seasons, you might think that things could only look up for the midwestern club. With six wins, Cincy have already matched their regular season record from 2019, and there are still 19 matches to play in 2022.

The Lions squeaked through their last game by grinding out a result. They’re currently two points behind NYCFC for first place in the East. Although their football isn’t the most appealing to observe, it has generated many positive results for Orlando.

Last Saturday, the team came back from a goal down to draw New England 1-1. Manager Oscar Pareja likes to stretch the field and give his fullbacks freedom to push high on the flanks. The Lions have always been a well-organized and structured unit who, according to their boss, need to find ways to be more polished while also finishing matches strong.

FC Cincinnati vs Orlando Head to Head

Both sides have seven games against each other with hosts taking one win while visitors with three wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:

Home

• Philadelphia 1-1 FC Cincinnati
• CF Montreal 4-3 Cincinnati
• Cincinnati 2-3 New England Revolution
• Chicago Fire 1-2 Cincinnati

Away

• Orlando 2-1 Houston
• New England Revolution 1-1 Orlando
• Orlando 1-3 Dallas
• Orlando 1-1 Inter Miami

FC Cincinnati Team News

Cincinnati striker Brandon Vazquez scored his eighth goal of the season in their draw versus Philadelphia, tying a single-season mark set last year by Brenner, while Haris Medunjanin wore the captain’s armband for the first time since 2020. Tyler Blackett picked up his first assist of the campaign in their previous outing.

Orlando City Team News

Alexandre Pato has three assists in 2022, while Robin Jansson scored his first of the campaign in the last meeting with New England. Antonio Carlos is nursing a problem in his left thigh, Silvester van der Water has an issue in his left lower leg and Mason Stajduhar could be out with a jaw injury.

Prediction and Odds

Cincinnati has shown improvement this season, yet they continue to struggle at home. The team has won only twice at TQL Stadium in 2022.

• Draw
• Double Chance
• Both Teams to Score