HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Nick Markanich’s game-winner in the 90th minute led FC Cincinnati 2 to a 1-0 win over visiting Rochester New York FC Saturday night at NKU Soccer Stadium.
The win gave the Orange and Blue (3-7-0, 9 points) their second consecutive win in MLS NEXT Pro competition. It also snapped RNY FC’s (4-4-2, 16 points) five-game unbeaten run, including four wins and a win in a PK shootout.
The game-winner began with FCC 2 signee Daniel Martin’s through ball played in the midfield past the Rochester defense to Markanich running on. Markanich, the No. 30 overall selection in January’s MLS SuperDraft, took a pair of touches and chipped his shot over Rochester’s goalkeeper into the back of the net.
Markanich has now scored three goals in FCC 2’s last two games, including scoring a brace last time out in the Orange and Blue’s 5-3 win at Orlando City B on May 29.
Beckham Sunderland recorded the clean sheet in goal for FC Cincinnati 2, the first shutout of the season for the squad.
FC Cincinnati 2 return to action next Sunday, June 19 at Inter Miami CF II. Kickoff from DRV PNK Stadium is set for 8 p.m.
FC CINCINNATI 2 GAME REPORT
FC Cincinnati 2 vs Rochester New York FC
Date: June 11, 2022
Competition: MLS NEXT Pro Regular Season
Venue: NKU Soccer Stadium
Kickoff: 8:05 p.m. ET
Weather: 72 degrees, cloudy
SCORING SUMMARY: 1-2-F
CIN: 0-1-1
ROC: 0-0-0
CIN - Nick Markanich (Daniel Martin) 90'
ROC - None
LINEUPS
CIN: Beckham Sunderland, Ashton Kamdem (Max Miller 84’), David Garcia, Kai Thomas, Morgan Marshall, Josh Head (Daniel Martin 60’), Harrison Robledo, Avionne Flanagan (Isaac Calderon 84’), Marcel Ruszel, Andrew Akindele, Nick Markanich
Substitutes not used: Paul Walters, Leonardo Vazquez, Darrel Turcios, Owen Noverr
Head Coach: Tyrone Marshall
ROC: Caique Santos, Gerardo Lopez, Christian Wood, Lamar Batista, Jacob Akanyirige, Bubacar Boi Djalo Davis Smith 90+2’), Pedro Dolabella (Dante Brigida 73’, Gabriel Costa 82’), Ian Garrett (Raymond Drai 73’), Jesus Batiz (Wilterlynd Inalien 82’), Gibran Rayo, Edward Williams
Substitutes not used: Phillip Ejimadu, Ryan Firestone
Head Coach: Bruno Baltazar
STATS SUMMARY: CIN/ROC
Shots: 5 / 12
Shots on Goal: 4 / 7
Saves: 7 / 3
Corner Kicks: 1 / 5
Fouls: 16 / 17
Offside: 3 / 0
Possession: 51 / 49
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
ROC – Christian Wood (Yellow Card) 26’
CIN – Nick Markanich (Yellow Card) 36’
CIN – Harrison Robledo (Yellow Card) 40’
ROC – Jesus Batiz (Yellow Card) 45+1’
ROC – Ian Garrett (Yellow Card) 66’
ROC – Gibran Rayo (Yellow Card) 74’
OFFICIALS
Referee: Stephen Milhoan
Ast. Referees: Jamie Duling, Christopher Slane
FC CINCINNATI 2 QUOTES
Head Coach Tyrone Marshall
On the result
"Fantastic effort from the boys tonight. The message to the boys from earlier was make sure the result from Orlando, that we follow it up with something positive. And I thought we came out and we did the job. The goal was fantastic with Nick [Markanich] sticking through … Fantastic from Nick and all the boys together.”
On beating Rochester New York FC
“It’s rewarding. They haven’t lost in [five] in a row. When we played them here the first time we knew that we had opportunities to beat them, we played well but we didn’t put our chances away. With that being said, them coming in here with the results and for us to come in and put in the performance that we did tonight, it’s a statement now … I’m excited for the boys. I’m excited that they can go back and see that if you put in the work during the week, come on the weekend we can get the result and keep building and keep growing and keep getting better.”
On the fan support
“The fans coming out tonight and supporting the group, that for me too starts speaking volumes. Having the young men start to be in that setting where you have your fans chanting for you, and after the game being able to reward [the fans] by raising our hands and clapping. That sort of stuff is the environment you try to create, and if you continue to create this environment, that professional environment, we’re going to have some good young players and Cincinnati is going to be in a good spot in a couple of years.”
Forward Nick Markanich
On the result
“I thought it was a good win for us. First half I thought we might have come out a little slow, getting used to [the game]. I think second half we brought up the energy and it was a strong finish. It was a good performance at the end for the guys.”
About MLS NEXT Pro
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.
