MLS 2022: predicted starting lineups and how both teams arrive for Austin FC vs. Cincinnati

MLS 2022 is about to kick-off and for Austin FC vs Cincinnati here are the predicted starting lineups and how both teams are coming into the match. 

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Austin FC 2022 MLS Season Preview: Key Players and Prediction

Both Josh Wolff's and Pat Noonan's squads left much to be desired last season as Austin could only manage a 12th place finish in the Western Conference, while the Orange and Blue finished last in the Eastern Conference.

Predicted Lineups

Austin FC Predicted Lineup

Goalkeeper: Stuver

Defenders: Lima, Cascante, Gabrielsen, Kolmanic

Midfielders: Valencia, Anillo

Wingers: Finlay, Pereira, Driussi

Forwards: Urruti

Cincinnati Predicted Lineup

Goalkeeper: Kann

Defenders: Powell, Hagglund, Vallecilla, Blackett

Midfielders: Cameron, Mendunjanin, Acosta

Forwards: Vazquez, Kubo, Brenner

How are both teams coming into the match?

Cincinnati

Both clubs come in with a big debt to their fans, as last year's tournament, they didn't even make it into the top 10 teams in their respective conferences.

But it could go differently this year as Cincinnati appears to be focused on making the Playoffs in what will be their fourth season in MLS after finishing 12th in their inaugural season.

In their 2021 campaign, Noonan's side only managed to accumulate 20 points, while they had just four wins in their 34 regular-season games.

However, Pat Noonan is ready to change the fate of this team after spending the last three seasons with the Philadelphia Union as an assistant coach.

Austin FC

For his part, Josh Wolff will try to use the offseason to solve the Green and Black problems that plagued them on both ends of the field in 2021.

And that's because their biggest problem isn't the sheer number of goals they conceded in 2021, which was 56 conceded in 34 games, making them one of the highest-scoring clubs of the season.

Their most serious problem is the lack of goals as they only managed to score 34 goals in 35 games last regular season, which was insufficient to overcome the goal difference with which they could have climbed a few positions in the Western Conference.

Therefore, both clubs are urgently looking to improve for this 2022 campaign and thus, aspire to reach the Playoffs.

Another issue that Austin FC will have to deal with for their match against Cincinnati is the absence of Rodney Redes and Danny Hoesen.

Will they be able to beat Noonan's side without these players? Only when the ball starts rolling will we know the answer. 

And the other question is: will Maxi Urruti still be fit enough to try to take Wolff's team to the Playoffs?

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