LA Galaxy v FC Cincinnati: Noonan determined to build on playoff-clinching win

Pat Noonan wants FC Cincinnati to finish the regular season strongly and claim as high a seed as possible for the MLS Playoffs, as they prepare to visit the LA Galaxy.

Cincinnati clinched their berth in the playoffs last week, beating Nashville SC 2-1 via a 98th-minute goal from Evander.

The Orange and Blue have now made the postseason in four successive years, reaching the Eastern Conference semifinals in 2022, the Eastern Conference finals in 2023, and then losing in round one last year.

Noonan's team are second in the Eastern Conference, two points behind the leaders, the Philadelphia Union, with four games to play.

Asked about Cincinnati's run of playoff appearances, Noonan said: "I'm pleased about that. It's not easy to do.

"I think you see that historically, having a team make the playoffs year after year, it's challenging for different reasons.

"I'm happy about the consistency, but it's also the expectation. This is where we want to be, this is where we expect to be and it's nice to be knowing we're in the playoffs again and clinched that spot. Now it's a matter of how high of a seed are we going to get."

Reflecting on last week's dramatic victory, Noonan said: "Based on form, based on results and how late in the game we found the goal and the energy in that moment, it's something that this building hasn't experienced enough of recently.

"Hopefully we can take a little bit of momentum from it and confidence from it and continue moving forward."

The LA Galaxy, meanwhile, are out of contention for the playoffs, as they prop up the Western Conference standings with just 21 points from 29 games, having endured a terrible defence of their MLS Cup crown.

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

LA Galaxy – Miki Yamane

The Galaxy's goals on Saturday were scored by former Japan internationals Maya Yoshida and Yamane. 

It marked the first time in MLS history that two team-mates from the same Asian nation scored in the same match. Yamane also has four assists this year, with only eight MLS defenders having more.

FC Cincinnati – Evander 

Evander got a goal and an assist in Cincinnati's 2-1 win over Nashville last time out, his 14th regular-season match with at least one of each since the beginning of last season.

The only other MLS player with more than eight such games in that time is Inter Miami's Lionel Messi (15).

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW

The lone previous meeting between LA Galaxy and Cincinnati came in June 2019, with the Galaxy winning 2-0 on the road.

Cincinnati will become the 70th different team the Galaxy have hosted in all competitions in team history, the second most by any MLS team all-time, after D.C. United with 72.

The Galaxy have lost four of their five league meetings with Eastern Conference teams (W1) this season, being outscored 16-6 in those matches. 

The 3.2 goals they have allowed per game in those contests would be the highest figure ever in a season by an MLS team against a single conference.  

While Cincinnati are favourites, LA Galaxy have home advantage and will be desperate to restore some pride at the end of a dreadful season.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

LA Galaxy – 39.9%

FC Cincinnati – 33.5%

Draw – 26.6%