For a second successive season, FC Cincinnati will open the knockout stage of the Leagues Cup at home as they welcome Santos Laguna to TQL Stadium on Friday in that round of 32 clash.
On Monday, Cincy pulled off an epic comeback versus New York City FC, winning 4-2 to top the East 1 standings, while Laguna grabbed second place in East 7 thanks to a 5-3 shootout victory over Atlanta United.
Match preview
Down by two goals with only 11 minutes remaining, Cincinnati suddenly came to life against the Pigeons this week, scoring four times in 10 minutes to take control of their group.
It is the first time this team have ended the group stage of this tournament with six points, and Monday was the first time the club had ever won a match when going behind by two goals.
That has given Pat Noonan's men an opportunity to exercise the demons from last year, when they were eliminated at home in this phase of the competition on penalties versus Nashville SC.
While Cincy have not been quite as consistent domestically at TQL Stadium this year, suffering five defeats, the Orange and Blue have never lost a Leagues Cup encounter at home in normal time.
In 2024, Cincinnati have never lost a competitive game when leading after 45 minutes, winning each of those encounters this season.
Laguna will be the third Mexican opponent they face in this competition, and Cincy have a 100% record in their previous three Leagues Cup meetings with Liga MX teams, beating Guadalajara twice and claiming a victory over Queretaro this year.
After being thoroughly dominated by DC United in their opener (3-0 loss), Santos Laguna bounced back with a strong defensive showing versus a potent Five Stripes attack on Sunday.
That was their first clean sheet at this tournament since defeating Orlando City 1-0 in the 2021 quarter-finals and the first time since March that they did not allow a goal after 90 minutes (3-0 win over Cruz Azul).
The Laguna backline may have improved in their previous match, but their problems in the attack remain unchanged, as Ignacio Ambriz's men have scored just once in their last nine competitive games.
Friday will be their third knockout fixture at the Leagues Cup, with Laguna collecting one win and one loss so far, and both results ending in a 1-0 score.
Guerreros have only suffered one defeat all year when leading at the half, 3-2 versus Club Leon in January, though they have only scored one first-half goal in their last 11 encounters, playing to a 1-1 draw with Pumas.
They have a chance on Friday to go unbeaten in consecutive Leagues Cup outings for the first time and also go undefeated in successive competitive fixtures for the first time since March.
Team News
Reigning MLS MVP Luciano Acosta sat out of the previous Cincinnati encounter with a toe issue, and his status is uncertain for this game, while Alec Kann is dealing with a sore hip and Malik Pinto has an ankle injury.
Nick Hagglund and Matt Miazga are dealing with leg injuries, with the latter out for the season, while Miles Robinson was an unused substitute on Monday after the US were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Olympics.
Pavel Bucha kickstarted the comeback for Cincy on Monday with his first of the tournament before Yamil Asad levelled the score with his second Leagues Cup strike, with Yuya Kubo and Sergio Santos netting late to complete the comeback.
Last weekend, Laguna were once again without Pedro Aquino and Ronaldo Prieto because of knee issues, while Harold Preciado is still suspended for alleged illegal gambling.
Jose Juan Macias returned from his muscle injury on Sunday, coming on for the Mexicans just before the final whistle in place of Jordan Carrillo.
Macias scored the winning penalty to send them into the knockout stage after Carlos Acevedo stopped Jamal Thiare from 12 yards away.
FC Cincinnati possible starting lineup:
Walters; Robinson, Keller, Murphy; Orellano, Nwobodo, Bucha, Halsey; Kubo; Kelsy, Baird
Santos Laguna possible starting lineup:
Acevedo; Medina, Nunez, Santamaria, Amione; Mariscal, Naveda; Carrillo, Fagundez, Munoz; Lozano
We say: FC Cincinnati 3-0 Santos Laguna
Sometimes, all Cincy need is a half-chance to turn a match in their favour, as NYCFC discovered this week, and with or without Acosta, we do not believe Laguna have the personnel that can match the Orange and Blue for 90 minutes.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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