As FC Cincinnati gears up for their second match versus Inter Miami in as many weeks on July 26 (7:15 p.m.), the Supporters’ Shield is becoming clearer in their view.
But coach Pat Noonan doesn’t feel the need to discuss it.
“We don’t talk too much about a Supporters’ Shield — we talk about progress,” Noonan said. “We talk about week to week, what does it look like for us to continue to get better, and we’re in a pretty good way right now about understanding how to do that. Everybody knows where we’re at.”
With 10 matches remaining for FC Cincinnati, the team is well-positioned to claim the regular-season trophy as they sit atop the league table. However, Inter Miami, fifth in the race, has the potential to accumulate the most points, having played three fewer matches than the Orange and Blue.
Still, FC Cincinnati enter with the upper hand after recently defeating Inter Miami, 3-0, behind a brace from midfielder Evander, who has 15 goals and eight assists this season. They followed that victory with a 1-0 win at Real Salt Lake behind a match-winner from wingback Luca Orellano, rising to the top of the Supporters’ Shield standings.
Things could look different this weekend in South Florida, though. Noonan said his squad managed the previous match well, but that Inter Miami still had dangerous transition moments.
“A lot can change based on motivation, based on thinking the game will look the same if we have the wrong approach,” Noonan said. “Even with the right approach, things will look different.”
FC Cincinnati prepared not knowing Lionel Messi’s status
While Inter Miami defender Maximiliano Falcón will be suspended for the match due to accumulating yellow cards, the status of midfielder Lionel Messi and defender Jordi Alba for the game also became a question after both players did not participate in the MLS All-Star Game on July 23.
MLS rules state that skipping the All-Star Game without an official injury constitutes a one-match suspension, as former LA Galaxy forward Zlatan Ibrahimović encountered in 2018. However, in the case of Messi and Alba, MLS Commissioner Don Garber stated on July 23 that the league would need to gather more input before reaching a conclusion.
That decision was reached on the afternoon of July 25 when the league announced that both Messi and Alba would miss the match.
“Per league rules, any player who does not participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete in their club’s next match,” the league said in a release.
Neither coach had clarity on the status of the star players the morning of the decision. Noonan emphasized the league’s rules, stating that he hadn’t received clarity on the situation before the team’s training on July 25.
“There’s rules — I’m aware of those,” Noonan said. “So we’re under the impression that we’ll prepare for the game without those two available.”
Evander, who is in the running for MVP alongside Messi, played the entire first half in the All-Star game as the MLS side’s captain. Defender Miles Robinson also appeared in the contest.
Despite their participation, Noonan said both players will be available without limitations against Inter Miami.
“I’m not too concerned about advantages (and) disadvantages,” Noonan said. “We’re preparing our guys to go play a very good Miami team with whoever’s on the field. So, how it plays out, I don’t know, but our focus is ongoing and trying to replicate our last performance with whoever we match up against.”
Ender Echenique arrives in Cincinnati
Noonan also commented on the status of Venezuelan winger Ender Echenique, who is eligible for selection this weekend after the transfer window opened during the week. He passed medical tests on July 24 and trained with the group on July 25, the coach said.
Noonan said the player’s role down the stretch will depend on how he integrates with the group.
“This will be (Echenique’s) first day on the field, and then we’ll see how we progress from here,” Noonan said. “But we’re excited to have him, and we anticipate that in time, he will help our group.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: FC Cincinnati prepares for Inter Miami minus suspended Lionel Messi
Reporting by Kamran Nia, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
