FC Cincinnati Goals: Mboma Dem 11', Evander 90+1'
New York City FC Goals: Luighi 21'
Quick Read
New York City FC suffered late heartbreak in Ohio, falling 2-1 to FC Cincinnati after Evander struck in stoppage time. Luighi had canceled out Kenji Mboma Dem’s opener with a well-taken first-half volley. The Boys in Blue pushed hard for a winner after halftime, forcing several saves from Roman Celentano, but were ultimately denied any reward for their pressure.
Match Recap
New York City FC traveled to Ohio on Wednesday evening for a midweek meeting with FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium.
Pascal Jansen’s side arrived in the Queen City looking to bounce back from a defeat against the Philadelphia Union at the weekend. Jansen made three changes to the team from the weekend, with Nico Fernández Mercau back in the side after serving a one-game suspension.
Cincinnati represented a stern test on home soil, with the opening exchanges producing a competitive contest as both sides sought to establish control.
The hosts registered the first chance of the game in the seventh minute through Evander, with Matt Freese turning the ball behind for a corner.
New York City were able to survive that early pressure but ultimately fell behind in the 11th minute. A clipped pass in behind put Kévin Denkey in on goal, and while Kevin O’Toole did brilliantly to recover and nick the ball away, it rolled into the path of Kenji Mboma Dem to convert.
Jansen’s side rallied and were level 10 minutes later after Luighi finished off a well-worked move.
The move started with a clever one-two between Agustín Ojeda and Fernández Mercau, before Ojeda cut the ball back for Luighi to send a side-foot volley into the net.
The goal swung the momentum in New York City FC’s favor, with both James Sands and Keaton Parks going close to adding a second.
Cincinnati sought a response through playmaker Evander, but the Brazilian could not keep his effort on target.
A lull in chances followed before a spate of activity on the stroke of halftime. First, Bénie Traoré drew a save from Roman Celentano, before Fernández Mercau saw efforts blocked by Matt Miazga and Miles Robinson in quick succession.
The half was rounded out by a late effort from Cincinnati’s Obinna Nwobodo that didn’t trouble Freese.
In the second half, the Boys in Blue came flying out of the traps as both Fernández Mercau and Luighi drew saves from Celentano inside the opening few minutes.
The visitors’ next chance also fell to Luighi after a delightful reverse ball from Fernández Mercau. The forward produced a quick turn and shot that Celentano was able to kick away.
As the clock ticked toward the hour mark, Cincinnati responded with an effort from distance by Ender Echenique. While powerful, it did not trouble Freese.
Jansen turned to his bench for the first time in the 64th minute, introducing Malachi Jones and Seymour Reid in place of Traoré and Luighi.
New York City’s high press was causing problems for Cincinnati and led to a good chance for Ojeda not long after the changes. Unfortunately, his curling effort hit his own man and went behind for a goal kick.
Cincinnati were not without a threat, and a fast transition from a New York City FC corner almost put them ahead. Mboma Dem was the man who finished the attack but saw his effort from a tight angle fail to hit the target.
Further changes for the Boys in Blue followed in the 75th minute as Jonny Shore and Nico Cavallo replaced O’Toole and Parks. Jansen’s final change of the evening saw Talles Magno replace Ojeda in the 81st minute.
Celentano was a busy man in the final 10 minutes. First, he denied Talles Magno from a tight angle with a kick save. Then Jonny Shore fired a shot from distance that drew a good save from Cincinnati’s goalkeeper.
New York City FC’s pressure refused to relent, and Talles Magno then tried a snapshot that looked destined for the bottom corner before a strong save from Celentano.
Despite that growing momentum, it was the hosts who claimed the next goal of the game thanks to Evander in stoppage time. His turn inside the area and low shot left Freese with no chance.
The visitors threw several crosses into the box in an attempt to restore parity but were unable to find an equalizer, forcing them to settle for a disappointing 2-1 loss on the road.
How We Lined Up
What's Next
Next up for New York City FC is a game against New England Revolution on Sunday, August 23.
