FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan insisted his side are now fully focused on MLS action ahead of their trip to Minnesota United this weekend.
Cincinnati qualified for the last 16 of the Champions Cup after thrashing Universidad OandM 13-0 on aggregate, following a 9-0 home victory on Wednesday.
At the age of 17 years and 44 days, Ademar Chavez became the youngest goalscorer in Cincinnati’s history, in what was also a club-record margin of victory.
They will face Tigres in the next round, but not before MLS fixtures against Minnesota and Toronto FC.
Noonan was adamant that he would not start to think about their tie with Tigres until their next two MLS games had passed.
“I was just pleased with the professional approach and guys not overcomplicating things,” said Noonan. “Playing the game in a simple way and scoring some good goals.
“It’s nice to see some of those young kids get the spotlight with their minutes, a lot of firsts with the goals with Stiven [Jimenez], Kenji [Mboma Dom], Stefan [Chirila] and Ademar [Chavez].
“As far as what we need to focus on now, it’s turning it around quickly for what will be a tough game and a tough atmosphere and conditions on Saturday.
“We can revisit [the Champions Cup] in a week or two. Let’s get through a couple league games.”
Academy graduates shine! pic.twitter.com/SkaYDTi0fj
— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) February 26, 2026
Minnesota, meanwhile, started their 2026 MLS campaign with a 2-2 draw on the road against Austin FC.
Kelvin Yeboah scored a 90th-minute equaliser in what was one of two draws in the opening round of the Western Conference.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Minnesota United – Joaquin Pereyra
Pereyra set up Morris Duggan for Minnesota’s first goal of the season last Saturday.
It was Pereyra’s 13th regular-season assist since debuting for the Loons in September 2024, three more than any other player on the team in that time.
FC Cincinnati – Kevin Denkey
Denkey opened the scoring for Cincinnati in the 80th minute of their 2-0 win over Atlanta United last time out, the second straight year he has scored the club’s first goal of the regular season.
Denkey and FC Dallas’ Petar Musa are the only two players to score their team’s first goals in both 2025 and 2026.
MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW
Cincinnati recorded a win in their first match of the regular season for the third time in the last four seasons (D1) with a 2-0 victory over Atlanta United. Cincinnati have never won their first two matches of a season before.
Minnesota, however, are unbeaten in nine all-time matches at Allianz Field before April 1 (W4 D5), though this will be the first home match the club has ever played in February.
After losing each of their first three regular-season meetings with Minnesota, Cincinnati have won the last two, with both wins coming in St. Paul.
In fact, this will be the fifth of the six all-time league meetings between the two sides to take place in Minnesota.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Minnesota United – 41.2%
Draw – 26.7%
FC Cincinnati – 32.1%