Noonan wants to build on Cincinnati’s ‘deciding moment’ against Houston

Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.

Pat Noonan believes FC Cincinnati’s last-gasp draw against the Houston Dynamo could be a “deciding moment” in their quest to reach the playoffs this season.

Cincinnati found themselves 2-0 down after 51 minutes at Shell Energy Stadium thanks to goals from Guilherme and Mateusz Bogusz, the latter scoring from the penalty spot.

Bryan Ramirez halved the deficit in the 73rd minute before Kevin Denkey scored a spot-kick in the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time to seal a share of the spoils.

It was a result that kept Cincinnati ninth in the Eastern Conference, but the likes of New York City FC, D.C. United and Toronto FC are all chasing Noonan’s side. 

Cincinnati make the trip to Stade Saputo this weekend to face struggling CF Montreal, and Noonan believes his team’s latest stalemate could be a solid foundation to build on.

“I think it could be a deciding moment in this stretch run,” Noonan said. “We have nine games left in the season, and every game is going to be so important to pick up points.

“And that’s because of the position that we’re in, where we’re fighting for a playoff spot. This isn’t about everything being pretty now, or style.

“We were able to get an important point, and so, for the psyche of the group and how to be on the road, like I said, against a strong opponent and push the game like that.

“How do we get more of that urgency, but not recklessness?”

Chasing margins in the rain. pic.twitter.com/ISNHTUBQWp

— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) September 23, 2026

Montreal, meanwhile, will just want the 2026 season to come to an end after they were beaten 2-0 by the Columbus Crew in their last league match.

Only Sporting Kansas City (17) have lost more MLS matches this season than Montreal (15), who find themselves rooted to the bottom of the East on 21 points from 26 games.

It’s also been a disappointing start to Alexis Sanchez’s Montreal career, as he has failed to register a single goal contribution in his seven matches for the club.

During their defeat to Columbus, Sanchez’s frustrations were evident as his team struggled to create any opportunities whenever they got the chance to go forward.

Interim boss Philippe Eullaffroy understood the Chilean’s concerns about the team, but he said Sanchez remained committed to the cause and was just showing his passion.

“Alexis would like the team to play faster forward and use more space behind the defenders. I agree, and I ask for it, but it is not happening,” Eullaffroy conceded.

“After the game, he was upset and tense about the development of the second half, as were several of his team-mates.”

In a season of frustration for Montreal, Owusu has been the only shining light, scoring 13 goals in 24 league appearances so far this season.

Owusu also has a good record against Montreal. He has scored three goals in six MLS outings against them, only managing to find the back of the net more against D.C. (four).

With Denkey unavailable after being selected to represent Togo during the international break, Evander will be the man Cincinnati will turn to in the final third. 

Only Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi (33) has more goal involvements in the MLS this season than Evander’s 25 (13 goals, 12 assists). 

We rally in Houston and leave with a point! pic.twitter.com/1BnjgzuZkn

— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) September 20, 2026

Cincinnati earned a draw when trailing by two goals for the eighth time in the club’s MLS era (since 2019) against Houston last time out. Three of those occurrences have happened this season and in all three of those occurrences in 2026, they had trailed by two goals in the second half.

But they will be hoping for a better result here. They have a good record against Montreal, winning their last four MLS meetings against them.

And Noonan’s side will be desperate for a win. They are without a victory in their last five league matches (D3 L2) since a 2-1 triumph over NYCFC on August 19.

Montreal, meanwhile, will be out to end their poor run at Stade Saputo. Only Minnesota United (two) have fewer home wins in the MLS this season than Montreal (three), who last won in front of their home crowd on May 9 against Orlando City.

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