Defenseless FC Cincinnati, Orlando City figure to score on Saturday

Field Level Media|published: Fri 22nd May, 21:17 2026

May 16, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; FC Cincinnati forward Tom Barlow (16) celebrates after scoring a goal with defender Matt Miazga (21) and forward Kévin Denkey (9) against the San Diego FC during the second half at Snapdragon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Abe Arredondo-Imagn Images

Two of the worst defensive teams in MLS meet on Saturday evening as FC Cincinnati plays host to Orlando City.

Scoring goals hasn't been a problem for Cincinnati; its 30 goals are tied for third in MLS. The issue is keeping the ball out of its own net: FC Cincinnati have conceded 35 goals this season, including 10 in the past three games, during which they compiled a 0-1-2 record.

To put things in perspective, FC Cincinnati (4-5-5, 17 points) allowed just 40 goals in 2025, tied for the second-lowest total in the league.

"Attacking-wise, we're in a good place," Cincinnati coach Pat Noonan said. "Defensively, we need to improve a lot if we want to be a team that's contending. I think that's pretty clear. What I think the first stretch of the season going into the break has provided is a chance to now analyze and look at a lot of things ... (to) understand what we need to work on."

The only team in MLS that has allowed more goals than FC Cincinnati is Orlando City, who have yielded 38. But Orlando (4-8-2, 14 points) enters Saturday with plenty of momentum thanks to a 4-1 win over Atlanta United on Tuesday in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals, another positive step for the club under interim head coach Martin Perelman.

"It wasn't easy at the beginning, and it's not easy now," Perelman said. "We were always balanced. We were always working hard, fighting, trying to be pragmatic, to understand what the context required and adapt our behaviors for each moment. I think the effort of the players is the thing I like the most."

Tiago scored twice against Atlanta, his first time on the scoresheet since Orlando's season-opener against the New York Red Bulls on Feb. 21. Griffin Dorsey also scored for the third consecutive match across all competitions.

Kevin Denkey leads Cincinnati with eight goals in MLS play. Evander has five goals and two assists in his past four matches. Martin Ojeda is Orlando's leading scorer with nine MLS goals.

After losing their first three matches of the season under Oscar Pareja, Orlando City are 7-5-2 under Perelman across all competitions.

--Field Level Media

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