Regardless of the notion that FC Cincinnati was heavily rotating to stay fresh for the CONCACAF Champions Cup, the team came away from Gillette Stadium with another poor league performance. It brings to mind the 2022 campaign of the Seattle Sounders, who won the Champions Cup (then Champions League) but finished the season 12-17-5 and 11th in their conference.  Has Albright assembled a team that is being asked to come together too quickly and do too much?

FIRST HALF

Cincinnati began the game with three players making their first MLS starts, including Andrei Chirila, who made his MLS league debut.  Midfield staple Pavel Bucha did not start, as Obi Nwobodo, Dado Valenzuela, and Tah Brian Anunga made up the midfield, while Bryan Ramírez and Kyle Smith started on the flanks in the familiar 3-5-2 formation.  New England came into its home-opening game winless and having scored just one goal, but were well-rested.

FC Cincinnati was aggressive to start, with a goal-scoring opportunity at 6′ from an Evander free kick, and later at 12′ as he tried to muscle a shot past Matt Turner after receiving a nice pass from Ramírez.  The pressure culminated in a Valenzuela...