FC Cincinnati 2 fell to New York Red Bulls II on Sunday, June 25, in a 3-1 loss at MSU Soccer Park in Montclair, N.J. The Orange and Blue remain 11th (4-7-3, 16 points) in the Eastern Conference as Red Bulls II move to fourth (7-4-4, 27 points).
New York’s Frank Ssebufu opened the scoring 29 seconds into the match as Red Bulls II capped off their first attack with a goal. Copeland Berkley delivered the final ball, an early cross into the box which Ssebufu rose to meet with a well-placed header.
Ben Stitz scored his fourth of the season in the 21st minute to bring the match level. A turnover in New York’s defensive third led to the chance as Gerardo Valenzuela collected an errant pass from Red Bulls II.
Valenzuela controlled to Stitz before making a supporting run into the box. Stitz pushed forward, electing to take a shot from distance with a powerful strike. Goalkeeper AJ Marcucci was able to get a hand on Stitz’s attempt but could not keep it out.
Ibrahim Kasule netted his fifth goal of the campaign in the 25th minute to restore New York’s lead. Kasule won a 50-50 ball at the edge of the Cincinnati area and slipped a quick shot past Paul Walters.
Kasule played provider on Red Bulls II third goal of the night, picking out Davi Alexandre from a set piece situation to extend the lead to 3-1. Alexandre found an open header at the back post from the free kick for his first goal of the year.
FC Cincinnati 2 return home to Scudamore Field at NKU Soccer Stadium on Sunday, July 2 as they take on Orlando City B. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
FC CINCINNATI 2 GAME REPORT
FC Cincinnati 2 at New York Red Bulls II
Date: June 25, 2023
Venue: MSU Soccer Park
Competition: MLS NEXT Pro regular season
Kickoff: 7:03 p.m. ET
Weather: 77 degrees, clear
SCORING SUMMARY: 1-2-F
NY: 3-0-3
CIN: 1-0-1
NY – F. Ssebufu (C. Berkley) 1’, I. Kasule (R. Donkor) 25’, D. Alexandre (I. Kasule) 40’
CIN – B. Stitz (G. Valenzuela) 21’
LINEUPS
NY: A. Marcucci, O. Valencia (A. Recinos, 62’), D. Alexandre, M. Nocita, C. Berkley, A. Jarvis (H. Wise, 70’), D. Sullivan, R. Donkor (J. Reid, 62’), I. Kasule (E. Ruiz, 82’), O. Mullings (R. Gorday, 70’), F. Ssebufu
Substitutes not used: W. Meyer, J. Gutierrez, Dija
Head Coach: Ibrahim Sekagya
CIN: P. Walters, L. Aghedo, J. Akpunonu, K. Thomas (H. Conteh, 84’), I. Foster, S. Jimenez, D. Turcios (Garcia, 46’), M. Dreas, G. Valenzuela, R. Mills, B. Stitz
Substitutes not used: H. Morse
Head Coach: Tyrone Marshall
STATS SUMMARY: NY/CIN
Shots: 10 / 9
Shots on goal: 5 / 6
Saves: 5 / 2
Corner Kicks: 7 / 3
Fouls: 22 / 10
Offside: 3 / 0
Possession: 43.2 / 56.8
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
NY – F. Ssebufu (Yellow card) 28’
NY – C. Berkley (Yellow card) 34’
NY – O. Valencia (Yellow card) 53’
CIN – J. Akpunonu (Yellow card) 72’
NY – J. Reid (Yellow card) 81’
OFFICIALS
Referee: Brandon Stevis
Ast. Referees: Sharon Gingrich, Alexandru Focea
Fourth Official: Kenneth Rojas
