MLS
Will FC Cincinnati break the MLS points record?
A dramatic late hat-trick from Yaya Kubo saw the Supporter’ Shield holders keep up their historic MLS form.
Another weekend, another victory for FC Cincinnati as Yaya Kubo struck a stunning late hat-trick for the Supporters’ Shield holders. Cincy were 2-1 down against the struggling San Jose Earthquakes until Kubo’s decisive contribution secured a 4-2 win.
Cincinnati had taken the lead early in the second half before Hernán López and Cristian Espinoza turned things around for the Quakes. Kubo, on as a second half substitute, scored three times to secure an eighth win in nine matches.
“I don’t think I can remember anybody having that significant of an impact in that short of time,” Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan said of the nine-minute treble. “It was an exceptional performance. I’m certainly pleased for him, coming off of a long absence, to perform so well in a short period of time.”
What is the MLS points record?
Saturday’s win leaves Cincinnati second to Inter Miami in the Supporters’ Shield standings, but having played two games fewer than the Herons. They boast the best points-per-game figure (2.12) in MLS this year and they are on course to finish the regular season with one of the highest points tallies in MLS history.
If Cincinnati keep picking up points at their current clip they will end the year on 72 points, the second-highest single-season tally. Only New England Revolution’s 2021 campaign picked up more (73), while the LAFC team of 2019 also managed 72. Here’s a look at the top ten MLS point totals...
Highest MLS points totals
New England Revolution, 73 points - 2021
Los Angeles FC, 72 - 2019
New York Red Bulls, 71 - 2018
Toronto FC, 69 - 2017
Atlanta United FC, 69 - 2018
FC Cincinnati, 69 - 2023
Los Angeles Galaxy, 68 - 1998
Los Angeles Galaxy, 67 - 2011
Los Angeles FC, 67 - 2022
Philadelphia Union, 67 - 2022
In 2023 Cincinnati romped to the Supporters’ Shield with 69 points, six more than second-placed Orlando City. However they fell short in the post-season and were defeated by the Columbus Crew in the Eastern Conference Final. This time around a post-season run will be the top priority for Noonan and his staff as they look to pick up the team’s first MLS Cup.
“The sign of a good team is when you have a poor performance or result, how do you respond to it and come back and have a better performance, or have a better result?,” Noonan said after seeing his team beat Columbus last month. “Just like we can’t get too low with bad performances, we can’t get too high.”