The FC Cincinnati-Philadelphia Union rivalry is alive and well. Here's why
CLEARWATER, Florida - The FC Cincinnati-Philadelphia Union rivalry tends to peak in the MLS Cup playoffs, but it foments each winter in Clearwater during preseason.
It makes sense a rivalry would exist here, especially after former Union technical director Chris Albright and ex-assistant coach Pat Noonan came to Cincinnati to lead the club's turnaround. They've also opposed one another in the MLS Cup playoffs for two straight years as Cincinnati's held a narrow edge in regular-season play, too (2-0-2 record vs. the Union).
The teams conduct business during preseason in a manner that further stokes the flames of the rivalry.
The clubs stay at beach-front resorts in Clearwater Beach, a barrier island, and are practically neighbors during their respective stays. They also schedule a preseason match almost every year. This year, that match took place Friday morning and it once again delivered a physicality, intensity, and flair that's uncommon in preseason.
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There were crunching tackles, shoving matches and a red card, which is almost unheard of in preseason settings.
"Definitely wasn't a typical preseason game. Definitely a lot more physical. A lot more emotional," FC Cincinnati's Corey Baird said afterward. "I kinda knew the way Philly likes to do things. They're a physical team. They're going to try to put you under pressure and get in some of the duels but I wasn't quite ready off the bat for the game that was going to happen. I didn't know as much of the history between the two teams. Probably some bad blood on both sides."
For what its worth, and it isn't worth much this time of year, FC Cincinnati enjoyed a comeback win at the Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex. The Union jumped out to a 3-0 lead inside of 17 minutes with Michael Uhre, Jack McGlynn and and Daniel Gazdag doing the scoring.
Cincinnati shoveled back in with four unanswered goals via Baird, Aaron Boupendza, Luciano Acosta and Boupendza again.
On Boupendza's first goal, which occurred just prior to halftime, he dribbled past Philadelphia goalkeeper Andre Blake and could have scored an uncontested tap-in. Instead, Boupendza stopped the ball on the goal line, turned his back to the ball and forcefully back-heeled it in. In a soccer context, it was showy and not exactly a respectful way to conclude a sequence of the match where Cincinnati had bested Philadelphia.
As Boupendza ran back to get into position, Union defensive midfield stalwart Jose Martinez grabbed the ball and fired it into Boupendza's back. A coming-together of players ensued. There was some pushing and shoving, and it was hardly the day's first instance of that.
During the fracas, FC Cincinnati center back Matt Miazga appealed to Philadelphia head coach Jim Curtin, suggesting that Martinez was in the wrong. Curtin looked on from the sideline, and probably expected something to happen in response to Boupendza's tact.
Come the second half, Acosta had one of his trademark dribbling movements that ended with a goal for 3-3. Later, Boupendza got on the end of a Yuya Kubo centering feed for 4-3, which proved to be the decisive goal.
There was one further firecracker moment as Martinez received a red card for a hard challenge of Acosta. He removed his shirt and walked slowly off the field.
The Union were permitted to finish the 90 minutes with 11 players, as is common in the rare moments when red cards occur in preseason.
Not long after the red card, the center referee's whistle signaled for the end of the opening 90 minutes, although the clubs would play an additional 45 minutes with near-wholesale lineup changes.
Both teams showcased plenty of flaws in the contest. They also conveyed an unmistakable message back-and-forth, and it was that their rivalry still runs hot going into the 2024 season where both should be expected to be serious contenders once again.
"I think you come to expect that type of game," FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan said. "Maybe it went a little too far just with the talking and all the nonsense but I think it's two good teams that compete in a pretty good way and there's a history. We've also played meaningful games in the last two years, so that matters and adds to it a little bit. We can go about it in a way where there's intensity and less of all the things off the ball and with stoppages."
For the first 90 minutes, Noonan's post-match focus was on FC Cincinnati's poor start.
"It was bad," Noonan said. "Not getting into the game and competing for about 15 minutes, and I think the score line showed that."
FC Cincinnati notes
FC Cincinnati's starting lineup featured a lot of the usual suspects. It included: Corey Baird, Aaron Boupendza, Luciano Acosta, Pavel Bucha, Obinna Nwobodo, a trialist at left back, Ian Murphy, Matt Miazga, Miles Robinson and Yuya Kubo. The team didn't sustain any injuries until the third 45-minute period when Sergio Santos came off. After the match, Noonan said Santos banged his knee and a prognosis wasn't immediately available.
Pavel Bucha made his official preseason debut for FC Cincinnati against the Union. Bucha's acquisition on a three-year contract with an additional option year was confirmed Friday by FCC officials. He played 90 minutes on Friday and struggled early like most of his teammates, Noonan said. Later, Bucha grew into the match.
Alvaro Barreal was expected to rejoin the club Friday night in Clearwater. His hope for a move to a European club didn't materialize during the January transfer window. He was permitted to rejoin the club late and will do so with social media rumors swirling about a possible move to clubs in parts of the world where the transfer windows remain open.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: FC Cincinnati's rivalry with Philadelphia Union is alive and well
