FC Cincinnati notch statement win over Seattle Sounders: “We need more games like this” | MLSSoccer.com

FC Cincinnati marked one other milestone on their dramatic surge into the league’s elite on Saturday night, edging the previously-undefeated Seattle Sounders, 1-0, on a crisp evening at sold-out, raucous TQL Stadium by way of Brazilian star Brenner’s first aim of 2023.

After beginning life within the high flight with three consecutive wood spoon campaigns, Cincy at the moment are a pressure to be reckoned with beneath head coach Pat Noonan. This newest victory arrived virtually precisely a yr on from the Orange & Blue’s first win on his watch, and posting a second straight clear sheet, this one towards the reigning Concacaf Champions League title-holders, suggests they’re addressing the defensive frailties that pressured them to be such a run-and-gun outfit final yr.

“We have gained sufficient video games towards high quality opponents, and in numerous methods, that the usual for us is to win video games, and to do it in a method the place we’re creating possibilities and we’re powerful to interrupt down. That is what you need on a regular basis,” Noonan informed reporters after his aspect created and exploited a Seattle turnover for the sport’s solely aim, then weathered the Sounders’ livid late flurry.

“However I feel we discovered early within the season some consistencies on the defensive aspect of the ball that perhaps we did not have early final yr, the place we wanted to attain quite a lot of objectives. Nicely, now we’ve proven we will win some video games the place it is only one aim, if we will proceed to defend like that.”