FC Cincinnati 2 (1-3-1, 4 points) fell to TFC II (1-2-0, 3 points), 2-1, Sunday afternoon at York Lions Stadium in the team’s second game of Matchweek 5 of the MLS NEXT Pro season. The Orange and Blue drop one spot to ninth in the Eastern Conference while the Young Reds move off the bottom of the table and into 12th, as results stand.
The hosts scored two first half goals as Charlie Sharp and Markus Cimermancic found the back of the net in the 12th and 42nd minute of play. Sharp finished off a second chance opportunity from Jesus Batiz and Cimermancic scored on a lofted chip.
Stefan Chirila, who made his third appearance of the MLS NEXT Pro season, impacted the match as a halftime substitute. The U17 FC Cincinnati Academy forward, and Generation adidas Cup Golden Boot winner, drew a penalty in the 63rd minute and Nico Benalcazar stepped up to convert for his first goal for the Orange and Blue.
Peter Mangione and Stiven Jimenez forced the Toronto defense into pressure with good attempts as the Orange and Blue looked to complete a second half comeback, but the Young Reds were able to hold off the attack to take all three points.
FC Cincinnati 2 remain on the road for their next MLS NEXT Pro fixture as they face Atlanta United 2 at Fifth Third Bank Stadium on April 21 at 3 p.m. ET. The match will stream live on MLSNEXTPro.com.
FC CINCINNATI 2 GAME REPORT
FC Cincinnati 2 at TFC II
Date: April 14, 2024
Competition: MLS NEXT Pro
Venue: York Lions Stadium
Kickoff: 2:03 p.m. ET
Weather: 54 degrees, clear
SCORING SUMMARY: 1-2-F
TOR: 2-0-2
CIN: 0-1-1
TOR – Charlie Sharp 12’, Markus Cimermancic (Altobelli) 42’
CIN – Nico Benalcazar (PK) 64’
LINEUPS
TOR: Adisa De Rosario, Ythallo, Adam Pearlman, Tristan Pusztahegyi (Marko Stojadinovic 77’), Jesus Batiz, Lucas Olguin (C), Markus Cimermancic, Mark Fisher, Nathaniel Edwards (Theo Rigopoulos 77’), Julian Altobelli (Philip Igbinobaro 77), Charlie Sharp (Dekwon Barrow 51’)
Substitutes not used: Shafique Wilson, Luca Accettola, Lazar Stefanovic, Matthew Catavolo, Kristjan Fortier
Head Coach: Gianni Cimini
CIN: Hunter Morse, Isaiah Foster, Nico Benalcazar (C), Brian Schaefer, Gaël Gibert, Amir Daley, Yair Ramos (Stefan Chirila 46’), Stiven Jimenez (Yeiner Valoyes 87’), Peter Mangione, Jesus Castellano, Ben Stitz (Justin Hylton 74’)
Substitutes not used: Kayne Rizvanovich, Nick Samways, Connor Stout, Juan Machado, Alejandro Guido
Head Coach: Tyrone Marshall
STATS SUMMARY: TOR/CIN
Shots: 13 / 10
Shots on Goal: 3 / 5
Saves: 3 / 1
Corner Kicks: 5 / 0
Fouls: 23 / 16
Offside: 3 / 2
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
TOR – Tristan Pusztahegyi (Yellow card) 16’
TOR – Adam Pearlman (Yellow card) 23’
CIN – Stiven Jimenez (Yellow card) 28’
CIN – Amir Daley (Yellow card) 33’
TOR – Dekwan Barrow (Yellow card) 80’
TOR – Mark Fisher (Yellow card) 83’
OFFICIALS
Referee: Mario Alayass
Ast. Referees: Joey Filipic, Vasyl Dzikh
Fourth Official: Yusri Rudolf
