FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan has shared how the Ohio franchise were able to deal Inter Miami’s worst defeat in MLS history.
The Herons lost 6-1 at the West End Stadium as Cincinnati overtook Inter Miami in the MLS Supporters’ Shield standings thanks to a complete attacking performance, as Tata Martino’s side suffered their worst-ever defeat in franchise history.
With the Argentine coach already admitting that Inter Miami needs to do more to catch up to the likes of Cincinnati, last night’s defeat was one of the worst the Herons have ever experienced, with their Supporters’ Shield credentials taking a massive hit.
And Cincinnati coach Noonan has now shared how the Orange and Blue got the job done against Inter Miami.
Cincinnati ‘up for this game’ as Inter Miami are demolished
Speaking to the press, the 2023 MLS Coach of the Year shared that his Cincinnati players were fired up for the occasion, with almost everything going against Inter Miami on what was to be a night to forget for the Herons.
4-1 down at half-time and down a man by the hour mark as Sergio Busquets was sent off, anything that could have gone wrong for Inter Miami did against Cincinnati, and Noonan’s side took complete advantage of that.
Noonan said about the historic result: “There are times I don’t need to tell them, I think they were up for this game. Of course, they understand the magnitude and the implications, but you still have to have a level of focus and understand how we’re trying to approach this game to have success.
“They’ve been pretty consistent about that all year. It hasn’t always looked like tonight. We know that. But the one thing you can say about them is they’re consistent in being able to step on the field and expecting to win games. So, credit to their consistency over the course of two-thirds of the season thus far.”
Inter Miami were handed one of their hardest lessons yet
Inter Miami had yet to be truly embarrassed this season despite a leaky defense and a number of star players missing big chunks of the season either due to injury or international commitments.
Yet last night’s loss against Cincinnati was easily one of the most disappointing nights in Inter Miami’s short but eventful history, with the Herons getting handed a hard pill to swallow that they’re still not quite the best in MLS.
Indeed, the transfer window will offer the Florida franchise the chance to replenish the roster, and Martino will come away with key lessons on how to next approach the big sides in MLS heading into the play-offs.