Red-hot FC Cincinnati out to take down Charlotte FC

FC Cincinnati aim to boost their winning streak to four matches on Saturday night when they host Charlotte FC.

MLS-leading Cincinnati (15-4-3, 48 points) recorded one-goal victories over FC Dallas and D.C. United before erupting for a 6-1 triumph over an undermanned Inter Miami side last Saturday. The recent power surge has given Cincinnati a one-point lead over the Herons in the standings.

Yuya Kubo recorded a brace and reigning MLS MVP Luciano Acosta collected on goal and two assists to lift his team-leading totals to 10 and 17, respectively. Pavel Bucha, Yamil Asad and Gerardo Valenzuela also tallied last Saturday and Luca Orellano notched two assists to boost his goal contributions to 11 (five goals, six assists) during his first season with FC Cincinnati.

"In the recruitment process, part of the conversation was if he was willing to play a different role, in a different position. He was open to that," FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan said Thursday of Orellano. "From there, once he was in the building you could just see a player that was open to new ideas: learning, listening and then asking questions.

"He's been open-minded, and that as a starting point helps a player with that level of talent to step into a new role and have success."

Charlotte (9-8-5, 32 points) was enjoying a successful 3-0-1 run before dropping consecutive one-goal decisions to the Houston Dynamo and Inter Miami.

Patrick Agyemang scored his third goal in as many matches and team-leading sixth of the season in Charlotte's 2-1 setback to the Herons on July 3. He was later sent off in second-half stoppage time after an altercation away from the ball.

With Agyemang sidelined for Saturday, coach Dean Smith was asked whether Iuri Tavares or Tyger Smalls would play in his stead.

"It could be," Smith said Thursday. "They are both players that can play up there, obviously Kerwin (Vargas) can play up there as well, although I think he's playing pretty well at the moment on the side."

Aaron Boupendza scored in second-half stoppage time to help Cincinnati salvage a 1-1 draw against Charlotte on March 30.

--Field Level Media