FC Cincinnati bounced back from a disappointing Hell is Real to put in maybe the team's best performance of the season en route to a 4-2 win over the San Jose Earthquakes.

Evander, as he often is, was the star of the show, scoring an absolute wonder goal and creating chances for teammates throughout the game. When he's in that kind of form, he's epitomizes the term game winner, but don't let the performance distract from what was an excellent, and potentially promising, showing by the whole team against a very solid opponent. Here are a few things that caught my eye on Saturday night.

Central Progression

I wrote last week about FCC's struggles to progress the ball through the middle of the field, needing to play deal with Columbus' defenders and the sideline when trying to build up. Things were different on Saturday. With Pavel Bucha back in central midfield alongside a resurgent Obi Nwobodo, and Samuel Gidi doing much of the forward passing from the back line, the Orange and Blue had options to move the ball through the middle of the field, and, crucially, to keep it in advanced positions once it was there.

After the game, Manager Pat Noonan was asked about the team's improvements in maintaining possession. He said, "I wish there was an easy answer to that." Noonan continued, "The way guys move the ball and didn't try to do too much. The way we moved off the ball, I think, was improved from recent games."

Gidi's role deserves to be highlighted. As FCC tilted the field and the Earthquakes dropped deeper, Gidi stepped forward into midfield, offering another option in the final third. This more hybrid role gave the Orange and Blue another passer in the final third as well as another player to win the ball back.

A limitation of a three center back shape is that you're losing a body further up the field. A player with Gidi's profile can step forward more seamlessly than an average MLS center back to add juice offensively. He still has defensive limitations, but Gidi's role in the backline will be one to continue to watch as the season progresses.

Higher Line of Confrontation

With more possession in the final third, FCC's defensive line was able to push higher, reinforcing the Orange and Blue's ability to maintain possession there by recovering the ball quickly and recirculating it. (Just look at all of FCC's recoveries the recoveries in the Quakes' half)

However, a high line is a delicate balancing act. Coming into the second half of the season, San Jose had been one of the most dangerous teams in "fast pace" attacking situations and on multiple occasions, the Orange and Blue learned that the hard way. Though FCC did a pretty good job denying service to Timo Werner and Preston Judd, the pair had opportunities on the counter, including one resulting in the latter's go-ahead goal in the 56th minute. However, the combination of FCC's possession and quick re-pressing was generally effective in limiting how often the Quakes could get out on the break.

If the price for dominating possession in your opponents' final third is a transition opportunity or two going the other way, given what we know about FCC's offensive firepower, that's a bet the team is likely willing to make.

Wing Backs Stepping Up

Bryan Ramírez, in my view, had his best game in Orange and Blue against San Jose. His opening goal was an obvious highlight, but he was consistently dangerous in the attacking third of the field. Throughout the first half of the season, Ramírez had struggled to really impact games with the ball, but starting with his cameo off the bench against the Crew and into the San Jose game, Ramírez looks far more dangerous.

After the game, Noonan said of Ramírez, "There's still more, and he was strong tonight, but there's still more." He continued, "I want to see him be even more aggressive because we got him into some really good spots. Obviously, the goal, but to make plays, whether it's 1v1 or getting into even better spots to get better service."

If Ramírez really is turning a corner, whether it's because he's more comfortable in Cincinnati or in MLS or something else entirely, FCC stands to benefit tremendously.

On the other side, Ender Echenique was a consistently available option providing width on the right. Even if his end product isn't quite there yet, his explosiveness is remains an elite tool in MLS that provides danger in moments of transition as well as sustained possession. As good as FCC's attack has already been this season, if the wing backs can offer more going forward, there's room for improvement.

Next Up

It's Leagues Cup time. Your mileage may vary for the competition itself, but there's always something interesting to watch for in any game. There should be time for prospects to get some run against higher levels of competition as well as space for any tactical wrinkles the coaching staff wants to try out.

I have some ideas for some topics to dig in on until MLS player resumes, but if there's anything in particular you're interested in, drop a comment or send me an email.