FC Cincinnati center-back and 2023 Defender of the Year Matt Miazga was handed a three-game suspension by MLS for misconduct, leaving head coach Pat Noonan short-handed ahead of the Eastern Conference final.
Miazga missed Cincinnati's 1-0 conference semi-final triumph over Philadelphia Union due to the double yellow card in the match against the Red Bulls, leaving Noonan with the hope to have his star defender back for the conference final. But now, the 28-year-old will miss the clash with the Crew, potentially MLS Cup final and the beginning of the 2024 season.
This leaves a huge hole in the Cincinnati backline and presents a problem for Noonan. Who will take Miazga's place in the back-three that can somewhat resemble the leadership and no-nonsense defending that the veteran defender possesses?
Just as the Murphy-Miazga-Mosquera backline was starting to gel near the end of the regular season and the beginning of MLS Cup playoffs, Noonan will now be forced to make a change for the second consecutive match.
There are probably two nailed on starters in the backline given the team's injuries and suspensions: Ian Murphy and Yerson Mosquera. Murphy started 17 games during the regular season, but has seen increased minutes since Nick Hagglund's season-ending hamstring tendon surgery.
Murphy has started all three of Cincinnati's postseason games, while Mosquera has been much more of a key figure starting 25 games during the regular season. Mosquera will more than likely take up the central center-back role, while Murphy will occupy the left-sided center-back position, leaving a spot on the right-hand side.
Noonan doesn't have many natural center-backs left in his ranks to choose from, forcing him to put one of his wing-backs in a more restricted role. Alvas Powell got the starting nod at right center-back against the Union, while Santiago Arias and Raymond Gaddis are also options.
It would seem unlikely for Noonan to call on a defensive midfielder to take up arms in the defense while shifting Mosquera over to the RCB slot, meaning that one of Powell or Gaddis will start the Eastern Conference final in the position. Miazga's suspension is a huge blow the Supporters' Shield champions' hopes of conquering MLS Cup, and it will be something to keep an eye on as Columbus will look to exploit Noonan's makeshift backline with the likes of Cucho Hernandez and Diego Rossi up front.
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