CINCINNATI – FC Cincinnati 2 fell to Chicago Fire FC II, 2-0, at Scudamore Field at NKU Soccer Stadium Sunday night. It was the third and final meeting between the sides this season with Chicago taking three points in all three matches.
The first half featured a number of chances for FCC 2 and early pressure from the Orange and Blue asked questions of the Chicago backline through the opening ten minutes of the match.
Calvin Harris nearly opened the scoring two minutes in following a controlled build-up through the midfield. Harrison Robledo picked out Morgan Marshall down the right sideline and the attacking wing back whipped in a cross to the far post that found a leaping Harris who pushed his attempt just wide.
Gerardo Valenzuela hit the post in the 27th minute following a wild sequence in the Chicago penalty area. Robledo forced Chicago’s defense into a poor turnover inside the box and fired a low shot on goal.
Chicago goalkeeper Christopher Brady made a good reaction save on the initial attempt before the rebound fell to the path of Valenzuela, who fired a shot off the post. Arquimides Ordoñez collected the loose ball, but his follow-up attempt went into the side netting.
It was all FCC 2 in the first half of action as the Orange and Blue outshot Chicago, 15 to 3, and controlled much of the attacking play.
Despite the dominant performance in the opening forty-five, it was Chicago who broke the scoreless deadlock. Omari Glasgow, who scored against FC Cincinnati 2 earlier this season, netted his fifth goal of the year in the 51st minute. Michael Nesci assisted on the goal after coming on as a second-half substitute.
The Fire would double their lead in the 63rd minute by way of the penalty spot. Missael Rodriguez scored his seventh goal of the year with a well-taken penalty, and it would be enough to see the match through. Chicago would hold off a flurry of late second-half chances from the Orange and Blue to keep the clean sheet.
Jordi Govea made his first appearance for the Orange and Blue after signing an MLS NEXT Pro contract in August. Govea earned a start and played 90 minutes contributing one shot, one key pass and one tackle.
It’s a quick turnaround for the Orange and Blue as they get set to host New York City FC II back at Scudamore Field on Wednesday, Sept. 14. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET.
FC CINCINNATI 2 GAME REPORT
FC Cincinnati 2 vs. Chicago Fire FC II
Date: Sept. 11, 2022
Competition: MLS NEXT Pro Regular Season
Venue: Scudamore Field at NKU Soccer Stadium
Kickoff: 5:05 p.m. ET
Weather: 79 degrees, cloudy
SCORING SUMMARY: 1-2-F
CIN: 0-0-0
CHI: 0-2-2
CHI: Glasgow (Nesci) 51’, Rodríguez (pen) 63’
LINEUPS
CIN: Louro, Govea, Ramathan (Garcia 46’), Thomas, Markanich, Bailey, Robledo (Sánchez 76’), Marshall, Valenzuela (Martin 64’) , Harris (Touray 90+1’), Ordoñez (Daley 64’)
Substitutes not used: Campuzano, Vazquez, Penagos
Head Coach: Tyrone Marshall
CHI: Brady, Ostrem, Ritaccio, Quintos, Reynolds, Rodriguez (Kocs-Washburn 29’), Fleming, Kidd, Penn (Nesci 46’), Rodríguez (Hernandez 73’), Glasgow
Substitutes not used: Miskovic, Nevarez, Torres-Gale, Kelner
Head Coach: Ludovic Taillandier
STATS SUMMARY: CIN / CHI
Shots: 20 / 16
Shots on Goal: 4 / 5
Saves: 3 / 4
Corner Kicks: 6 / 2
Fouls: 15 / 15
Offside: 1 / 0
Possession: 57.6 / 42.4
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
CIN: Thomas (YELLOW CARD, FOUL) 24’, Govea (YELLOW CARD, FOUL) 70’, Sánchez (YELLOW CARD, FOUL) 77’
OFFICIALS
Referee: Amin Hadzic
Ast. Referees: Eric Burton, Eric del Rosario
Fourth Official: Chris Schurfranz
About MLS NEXT Pro FC
Launched in March 2022 by Major League Soccer, MLS NEXT Pro is a professional men’s soccer league in the United States and Canada that completes the player pathway from MLS NEXT through to MLS first teams. With 21 Clubs competing during the inaugural season – 20 MLS-affiliated and one independent club, Rochester New York FC – MLS NEXT Pro will grow the game through innovation and diversity by bringing professional soccer to new markets, creating career opportunities for professionals on and off the field, and providing communities with a strong sense of pride. Eight additional MLS-affiliated clubs will join MLS NEXT Pro in 2023, with more independent clubs joining in the years ahead. For more information about MLS NEXT Pro, visit mlsnextpro.com
