Pat Noonan is unfazed by FC Cincinnati facing a quick reunion with the Chicago Fire, only two weeks after they played out a six-goal thriller.
Cincinnati and Chicago drew 3-3 at TQL Stadium on April 19, with Evander scoring a penalty and forcing a late own goal from Dje D’Avilla as the Orange and Blue rescued a point.
And they will face off again at Soldier Field this weekend, with six places and five points currently separating them in the Eastern Conference.
While Cincinnati are 10th with 12 points on the board, having turned something of a corner after a slow start, Chicago are flying high in third under Gregg Berhalter.
“We’ve had this happen in years past as well, where you, because of the schedule, see teams quickly,” Noonan said on Thursday when asked about their quick rematch.
“That’s the reality. What it does is, it makes you more familiar with them for the second match – but the same goes for them.
“So Chicago are going to have a pretty good idea of us and what they can expect.
“It’s not new, and it can be a positive or a negative, depending on how you learn from the first game and how you make adjustments.”
Cincinnati have been one of MLS’ most watchable teams this season, scoring 19 goals but conceding 23. They have created 18.7 expected goals (xG), the third-highest figure in MLS.
Chicago are also performing in line with their underlying metrics, netting 17 times from 17.2 xG.
“They create a lot of moments, and I think we do as well. It’s maybe not looking so much at the expected goals and looking at how they gain advantages and put this really strong attacking group in positions to make plays,” Noonan explained.
“That’s what our focus is. So, hopefully our attack continues and hopefully our defending improves to limit their strengths.”
Keeping the momentum through April. pic.twitter.com/VbIVZPwiuH
— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) April 30, 2026
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Chicago Fire – Hugo Cuypers
Cuypers has scored a goal in each of his first six MLS games in 2026.
It is the second time in MLS history that a player has scored in his first six matches to start a season, after Jaime Moreno did so in 1997. Nobody has ever had a longer such run.
FC Cincinnati – Kevin Denkey
Denkey has scored a brace in each of his last two MLS games.
He is the fourth player in Cincinnati history to score multiple goals in consecutive MLS matches (Evander, Brenner, Brandon Vazquez).
MATCH PREDICTION – CHICAGO FIRE
The Chicago Fire are looking to snap a five-game winless streak at home to Cincinnati (D1 L4), with their lone home win coming in August 2020.
This is tied for Cincinnati’s longest regular-season unbeaten streak on the road against any MLS opponent (also an active streak at Toronto FC).
But Chicago will be confident, having won three straight home regular-season matches, all to nil.
It’s the eighth time the Fire have had three straight home MLS shutouts within a single season, but they have never had four in a row.
And Cincinnati are winless in their first five road games this season (D2 L3), joining Orlando City, Austin FC and St. Louis City without a road MLS win in 2026.
Cincinnati have allowed 15 goals over their last four regular-season road matches after allowing 15 total goals over their previous 15 regular-season away games.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Chicago Fire – 46.6%
FC Cincinnati – 26.9%
Draw – 26.5%