FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan has urged his side to be more decisive in their upcoming MLS fixture against Toronto FC.

Despite winning their 2026 season opener against Atlanta United, Cincinnati fell to a 1-0 defeat to Minnesota United last time out.

Minnesota registered more xG (2.02 to 0.83), shots (16 to 13) and shots on target (five to four) in the victory, which was decided in the 66th minute by Kelvin Yeboah.

Noonan believes his side must have more creativity and decisiveness if they are to avoid the same mistake against Toronto.

"[There were] a couple of moments where I just don't think we identify whether we're crossing a ball, whether we're attacking one-v-one, whether we're rotating the ball," said Noonan.

"We just didn't get those moments right and when we did, they defended well.

"In a lot of moments where we were sloppy and we missed some really simple passes…so that was a factor.

"We had a lot of corners early on, and that was because we were in good spots.

"It looked like we were indecisive, or just lacking creativity. I think we could have done more with some of the moments that we had."

And after that defeat to Minnesota, Cincinnati forward Tom Barlow believes it is important that they get off to a good start at home against Toronto.

"I think it's important for us to come out strong in the first 10 or 15 minutes and put on a real good showing," said Barlow.

"Show the fans that there's a desire to go out there and win and score goals. I think that the early fire gets the crowd into it and, hopefully, it gives us some momentum."

Toronto are yet to win in MLS this season, following up a 3-2 defeat to FC Dallas with a 3-0 loss against rivals Vancouver Whitecaps.

Toronto have opened a season with consecutive defeats for the first time since 2018, while their six goals allowed equals their most conceded through two matches of a campaign.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

FC Cincinnati – Ayoub Jabbari

Jabbari contested 20 duels for Cincinnati against Minnesota, winning 13 of them.

The only player to win more duels in a match this season was D.C. United's Jackson Hopkins (14) against the Philadelphia Union on February 21.

Toronto FC – Derrick Etienne

Etienne scored and assisted in Toronto's season opener against Dallas, the first time he has done so in a match for Toronto since his arrival at the club in 2024.

MATCH PREDICTION: FC CINCINNATI WIN

Cincinnati have won seven of their last eight matches against Toronto (D1), outscoring the Reds 17-6 in those matches.

Noonan's side have also kept five clean sheets in those seven matches, including holding Toronto scoreless in both meetings in 2025.

Cincinnati have won six of their last eight home matches in all competitions (D1 L1) dating back to last September, including winning their first two at home this year.

Toronto are looking to snap a 10-match winless run away from home (D5 L5) with the club’s last road win coming at San Diego FC in July.

Toronto have only two wins in their last 25 away matches against Eastern Conference teams in all competitions dating back to May 2024, though the last five have all been drawn.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

FC Cincinnati – 62.2%

Draw – 20%

Toronto FC – 17.8%