Pat Noonan insisted there would be no better way to seal a spot in the playoffs than in front of FC Cincinnati's home supporters against Nashville SC this weekend. 

Cincinnati find themselves second in the Eastern Conference, two points and two places above their next opponents, and know a win will confirm their place in the postseason. 

However, Noonan's side have struggled at TQL Stadium of late, losing their last three games on home soil, including a 1-0 defeat to leaders Philadelphia Union last time out. 

Cincinnati will still have four games after Nashville to reach the playoffs for a fourth consecutive year should they fail to win, but Noonan wants it confirmed as soon as possible.

"We need to win for a lot of reasons," Noonan said.

"Where we're at in the season, the stretch of not winning at home, I would imagine the fans aren't happy with not winning games, just like we aren't.

"So, we want to win for a lot of reasons. Certainly, to have them experience a win on our home field. That hasn't happened often enough recently.

"They're in every game; they have consistency in their play with and without the ball. It's not a one-dimensional team.

"Defensively organised, good pressing team as far as how and where they want the ball to go, and different ways that they can beat you with their attack."

While Nashville are fourth in the Eastern Conference standings, their recent poor form has seen the chasing pack threaten their place in the top four of the table. 

They were beaten 1-0 by strugglers Atlanta United last time out, their fourth defeat in their last five league games, allowing Orlando City SC and Inter Miami to edge closer.

And Nashville boss B.J. Callaghan revealed his team had enjoyed a productive international break, but acknowledged the difficulty Cincinnati will pose his team this weekend. 

"For us, we are just preparing for what Cincinnati are going to pose," Callaghan said. "It's a team that has made acquisitions in the summer window that we have not seen yet. 

"We're doing the best we can using the process that we do and there is a level of excitement within the group to get restarted here. I think that is what we want to carry into it. 

"It's exciting to get everybody back. We've still managed to get some really good work in. We've tried to improve certain areas that we have always wanted to try and refine. 

"All focus is on Cincinnati, who are a well-coached team, a battle-tested team. They have great balance in the attack and also at the back. We expect a really tough game."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Cincinnati – Evander

Having failed to register a goal involvement in his last two MLS games, Cincinnati will be hopeful that talisman Evander can lead them to victory in an important clash. 

Indeed, only San Diego's Anders Dreyer (30) and Inter Miami's Lionel Messi (27) have registered more goal contributions in the MLS this season than Evander (24). 

The Brazilian scored in his only match against Nashville, a 2-1 win back in March, and he will be out to have another telling moment to seal Cincinnati's spot in the playoffs. 

Nashville – Hany Mukhtar

Mukhtar has failed to score in eight career matches against Cincinnati, the only opponent he's faced five or more times but never scored against.

However, he has often had his say against the Coyotes in the MLS. Indeed, Mukhtar has recorded eight assists against Cincinnati, his most against any opponent.

MATCH PREDICTION: CINCINNATI WIN

Each team has won three of the 10 all-time meetings between Cincinnati and Nashville (D4) with both sides recording at least one win home and away. The Orange and Blue have lost only one of the last seven (W3 D3) dating back to 2022, though.

Noonan's side have, however, lost four of their last five matches in all competitions (W1), including the last two in a row. Cincinnati had suffered just four defeats in their previous 23 matches across all competitions.

Nashville, meanwhile, have lost four of their last five matches after suffering just one defeat in their previous 18 games in all competitions (W13 D4). The Coyotes had lost each of their last four away from home, last avoiding defeat on the road in late June.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Cincinnati – 48.6%

Draw – 25.8%

Nashville – 25.7%