There's no two ways about it: FC Cincinnati are off to a hot start to begin their MLS history.
The start is so hot, in fact, that it's the second-best start in MLS history for an expansion team, as they have posted a 2-1-1 record through their first four games. The seven points picked up by FC Cincy is level with Atlanta United in 2017, bested only by the Seattle Sounders' nine-point haul in 2009 through four games.
They have a chance to notch the best mark through five games on Saturday when they host the Philadelphia Union (7:30 pm ET | TV & streaming info).
If Cincinnati win on Saturday, their 10 points through five games would better the mark of nine set by the Sounders and matched by LAFC last year.
But while Cincinnati have gone under the radar a bit in getting off to a good start to life in MLS, head coach Alan Koch admits the performances are outdoing internal expectations, too.
“We’re big-time exceeding expectations, but we’ll take it,” Koch said after their 2-0 win over New England on Sunday afternoon. “We’ve said this since the very beginning: we’re going to go every single game, give everything we can and try to get three points.
“If you’d have said to me we’ll start the season off with four games and having these particular four games that we have and we’ll have, what, seven points? I’d had say you’re crazy. Credit to the players. Full credit to the staff. Everyone is buying into what we’re asking them to do. They’re willing to be selfless. They’re working for each other and we continue to improve.”
