FC Cincinnati v D.C. United: ´Embarrassing´ Dallas draw a reality check, says Noonan - Soccer News

[ad_1] Pat Noonan had some stern phrases for his FC Cincinnati gamers after their 3-3 draw with FC Dallas in midweek, labelling their second-half show as “embarrassing”.

Noonan watched on as his staff led 2-0 going into the break, earlier than Petar Musa and Anderson Julio hauled Dallas stage with 68 minutes gone within the contest.

Gerardo Valenzuela thought he had gained the sport for Cincinnati 4 minutes from time, just for Sebastien Ibeagha to seize a late equaliser in second-half stoppage time.

Although Cincinnati sit second within the Japanese Convention standings after 16 video games, Noonan reiterated that his staff’s show within the second half confirmed how far they're from turning into an actual staff that may compete this season.

“It was a story of two halves. We have been glorious within the first half, and we have been embarrassing within the second half,” Noonan mentioned.

“So it falls on me, as a result of there have been guys that had no thought handle a two-goal lead and handle the momentum we had popping out of the break.

“So, there’ll be some good conversations round what we wish this to appear like shifting ahead and what we wish to accomplish, as a result of there have been guys that have been nowhere shut within the second half.

“You get the solutions from the video games, and like I mentioned, the second half reveals how far we're away from turning into an actual staff.”

Last from TQL. pic.twitter.com/M3LhKiwhhf

— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) Might 29, 2025

Noonan shall be hoping for an improved show this weekend after they welcome D.C. United to the TQL Stadium, with the guests lastly ending their purpose drought in midweek.

Troy Lesesne’s staff have struggled with out prime scorer Christian Benteke, failing to attain in four-straight video games previous to their 1-1 draw with the New England Revolution.

Gabriel Pirani snatched a degree for his staff in second-half stoppage time, together with his first purpose of the season ending D.C.’s 495-minute scoreless rut within the MLS.

Lesesne, although, all the time knew of Pirani’s high quality, saying: “We would have liked a particular play. And Gabby does make particular performs.

“We would have liked that second as a result of everybody recognised it may have been a match the place it ends 1-0, and it’s a distinct dialog.

“Now he’s getting again within the combine. It is a large second for him, and you may see what it means to him, too.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

FC Cincinnati – Gerardo Valenzuela

Valenzuela has scored three objectives in his final 4 matches, together with in every of the final two.

The 20-year-old may additionally grow to be the youngest Cincinnati participant to attain a purpose in three consecutive regular-season video games this weekend.

D.C. United – Gabriel Pirani

With Benteke nonetheless a few weeks away from a return to motion, Pirani shall be trying to make an influence in his absence after his substitute cameo final outing.

Certainly, regardless of being launched within the 81st minute, he registered team-high totals for photographs (three), whereas solely Peglow (three), who began the sport, created extra possibilities than the Brazilian (two, stage with Hosei Kijima and Jared Stroud).

MATCH PREDICTION: CINCINNATI WIN

Cincinnati have recorded back-to-back wins over D.C. United, with each victories coming at Audi Discipline. D.C. have additionally misplaced solely considered one of their seven all-time visits to the TQL Stadium (W3 D3).

Noonan’s staff are additionally unbeaten in 11 straight residence matches in all competitions (W6 D5) following a 3-3 draw with Dallas. That is Cincinnati’s second-longest residence unbeaten run in all competitions as an MLS membership after a 20-match stretch from February to August 2023.

D.C., in the meantime, have gained solely considered one of their final seven away matches (D2 L4), although they did handle a scoreless draw at Nashville of their final match on the highway. The 0-0 draw was their first highway clear sheet since a scoreless match at Cincinnati in March 2024, ending a run of twenty-two immediately matches permitting a purpose.