FC Cincinnati eager to warm up against Toronto FC

If it's any consolation to FC Cincinnati, they can't possibly start any colder -- literally and figuratively.

FC Cincinnati hosts Toronto FC on Sunday night in its first match since last Saturday's disappointing 1-0 loss at Minnesota United, which became the coldest match in franchise history when the temperature dropped to 20 degrees.

As for the figurative part, FC Cincinnati owns a 1-1-0 record but has yet to score before the 80th minute. Now, they'll look to generate more momentum in the early part of matches.

Having an extra day between MLS regular-season games this week could help iron out their slow starts on offense.

"I liked what we've seen (this week)," head coach Pat Noonan said. "It was more video review than typical, just to go over details about certain aspects of our play that weren't up to standard, so with important games coming up we can have a better performance and outcome than we did last weekend."

Cincinnati will also get a boost with Evander and Matt Miazga expected to play Sunday. While Noonan said it will be more about to what degree Evander is available, he declared Miazga enjoyed his best three-day stretch in training in a while.

Whereas FC Cincinnati looks for their first first-half goal in MLS regular-season play, Toronto FC wants their first win.

Toronto (0-2-0, 0 points) comes off a disappointing 3-0 loss last Saturday at Vancouver, but could be getting a jolt with its latest acquisition in U.S. Men's National Team forward Josh Sargent.

"Josh can do everything," head coach Robin Fraser said. "You have some that can hold the ball up. You have some that can combine. You have some that are just purely goal-scorers. You have some that defend really well. When you get one that incorporates all of those things, it almost seems too good to be true."

This will be Toronto's third straight road match to start the MLS regular season.

Cincinnati is unbeaten in its last eight matches against Toronto.

--Field Level Media