FC Cincinnati return to Canada for a Saturday night showdown on the shores of Lake Ontario, taking on Toronto FC at BMO Field with a chance to clinch the 2023 Supporters’ Shield. With a win, FC Cincinnati would secure their first MLS trophy and raise the Shield Wednesday in their return to TQL Stadium.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET and will be shown on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Fans can also listen to the match locally on Fox 1360.
Let’s break down this matchup with key numbers to remember, presented by CTI.
1
One win is all it takes to secure the Supporters’ Shield. The Orange and Blue have been dominant against Toronto FC recently, winning five consecutive matches.
FC Cincinnati defeated TFC 3-0 at TQL Stadium on June 21; Santiago Arias, Luciano Acosta, and Dominique Badji scored to secure the victory. The last time FCC visited BMO Field, they exited with a 2-0 win, with Acosta and defender Ian Murphy giving the goals.
1830
It will have been 1830 days on Saturday since the last time FC Cincinnati lifted a trophy. The Orange and Blue lifted the 2018 USL regular season trophy on September 26, 2018. The following season, FCC made its debut in MLS.
15
With a Goalazo on Saturday against Charlotte FC, Acosta earned his 15th league goal of the season. A career high, the figure also puts him in a tie for first in the MLS Golden Boot race. With 27 goal contributions (15 goals, 12 assists) ‘Lucho’ is three shy of topping his best season in MLS (2022).
309
FC Cincinnati have been ballhawks this season, intercepting 309 passes, the sixth most in MLS. Obinna Nwobodo leads The Orange and Blue with 49, the fourth most in the league, and Yerson Mosquera is second on the club with 45.
FCC’s suffocating defense has helped limit opponent opportunities, allowing just 110 shots on target all season, which is the third-fewest in the league this season. Only Seattle Sounders and New York Red Bulls have allowed fewer while
11
Roman Celentano earned his 11th clean sheet of the season and 16th of his MLS career in the 3-0 victory over Charlotte. Both figures stand as FC Cincinnati records, and with four matches remaining, he could enter the top-10 for single-season clean sheets, which stands as a 12-way tie with 13 clean sheets in a single season.
Celentano was not forced to make a save Saturday but was repeatedly tested with crosses and other challenges that the keeper thwarted. This season, he is 10th in saves (76) while tied for the lead in MLS with 11 clean sheets.
