FC Cincinnati 2 fell to Eastern Conference leaders Crown Legacy FC 1-0 at Scudamore Field at NKU Soccer Stadium on Saturday night. FC Cincinnati 2 (5-10-4, 21 points) remain 12th in the conference while Crown Legacy FC (14-3-3, 47 points) extend their lead at the top of the table to nine points.
Crown Legacy produced the first real chance of the match in the 8th minute as Gurman Sangha charged into the Cincinnati penalty area after getting on the end of a long outlet pass from the Legacy defense. Sangha turned upon entering the box and tested goalkeeper Evan Louro with a shot from close range, but Louro denied Sangha with a sprawling save to clear the danger.
The Orange and Blue would respond with a dangerous chance of their own in the 17th minute after breaking out in attack through midfield. Bret Halsey and Ben Stitz would combine on the chance as Halsey picked out Stitz in a wide position after winning possession from Crown Legacy. A few quick step overs created the space Stitz needed to take a shot, which deflected off a defender, rolling just wide of the far post.
But it was Crown Legacy who opened the scoring in the 33rd minute from the penalty spot. Sangha would draw the foul from Joey Akpunonu as the two battled for control of possession inside the box. David Poreba would step to the spot and convert for his sixth goal of the season.
The Orange and Blue battled in the second half, looking to bring the match level, and they nearly found the equalizer to force a shootout in the final moments of the match. Bret Halsey played Arquimides Ordoñez into space near the Crown Legacy box as Ordoñez created space for a cross into the area, looking for a free attacker. Jesus Castellano was able to make contact with the cross but sent his attempt over the crossbar.
Poreba’s first half goal would prove the difference as Crown Legacy FC picked up their league-leading 14th win of the season and left Scudamore Field with three points.
FC Cincinnati 2 make their first road trip to Huntsville, Alabama on Sunday, August 6 as the Orange and Blue take on Huntsville City FC at Joe Davis Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT) and can be streamed live on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV App.
FC CINCINNATI 2 GAME REPORT
FC Cincinnati 2 vs. Crown Legacy FC
Date: July 29, 2023
Venue: Scudamore Field at NKU Soccer Stadium
Competition: MLS NEXT Pro regular season
Kickoff: 6:03 p.m. ET
Weather: 87 degrees, clear
SCORING SUMMARY: 1-2-F
CIN: 0-0-0
CLT: 1-0-1
CIN – None
CLT – D. Poreba (PK) 33’
LINEUPS
CIN: E. Louro, I. Foster, J. Machado (K. Thomas, 46’), J. Akpunonu, L. Aghedo, B. Halsey, S. Adams, M. Pinto, J. Castellano, A. Ordoñez, B. Stitz (P. Horton, 67’)
Substitutes not used: H. Morse, H. Conteh, M. Schenfeld
Head Coach: Tyrone Marshall
CLT: I. Walker, J. Pedro, J. Guilherme, H. Diop (A. Miller, 75’), J. Williams (T. Johnson, 62’), P. Mayaka, D. Poreba, N. Scardina, M. Filipovic (B. Romero, 75’), I. Tavares, G. Sangha (N. Berchimas, 86’)
Substitutes not used: R. Shealy, B. Bedolla, J. Rodrigues, J. Nyandjo, E. Pena-Boardman
Head Coach: José Tavares
STATS SUMMARY: CIN/CLT
Shots: 10 / 14
Shots on goal: 0 / 3
Saves: 2 / 0
Corner Kicks: 4 / 4
Fouls: 17 / 21
Offside: 2 / 3
Possession: 54 / 46
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
CIN – J. Machado (Yellow card) 37’
CLT – I. Tavares (Yellow card) 45’+3
CIN – A. Ordoñez (Yellow card) 45’+4
CLT – N. Scardina (Yellow card) 47’
CIN – S. Adams (Yellow card) 49’
CLT – J. Pedro (Yellow card) 51’
CIN – J. Williams (Yellow card) 56’
CIN – I. Foster (Yellow card) 87’
OFFICIALS
Referee: Josiah Parke
Ast. Referees: Rebecca Luther, Jessica Carnevale
Fourth Official: Austin Saini
