The goal came quickly.
After Alvas Powell carved through Charleston’s left side and found Darren Mattocks, Fanendo Adi started his run toward goal. Once Mattocks delivered a perfectly-weighted cross to Adi, the Nigerian forward took a shot, then tucked the rebound into the net.
The sequence arrived 63 seconds into the game. It was the perfect start for FC Cincinnati in its eventual 2-1 win against the Charleston Battery on Saturday night in the 2019 Carolina Challenge Cup at MUSC Health Stadium. But its importance is more significant than a preseason win against a USL team.
Before Saturday, Mattocks and Adi hadn’t played in a match together since 2017 with the Portland Timbers. If they can create a strong partnership, that could be crucial for Cincinnati’s initial success in MLS. Adi registering his first goal in preseason is a good start, too.
“Finishing is a big aspect as a striker, so to get the first goal in this tournament is very important to me and to the team,” Adi said. “Confidence was high getting it so early in the game.”
Adi scored again in the 56th minute but the referee incorrectly disallowed the goal by awarding a penalty too soon, rather than allowing Cincinnati to play on with an advantage. Mattocks stepped up and converted the penalty in the next minute.
“Essentially, he scored two goals tonight,” Head Coach Alan Koch said of Adi. “He scored right in the beginning and then he scored and the ref called it back. …For a forward to go and score two goals in any game is huge. He’s been working incredibly hard. I was glad to see him get rewarded with the goals.”
Mattocks has been rewarded as well. Along with his second-minute assist to Adi, the Jamaican has three goals in four matches so far. Mattocks, who was FCC’s first pick in the 2018 MLS Expansion Draft from D.C. United, has been one of the team’s better players in preseason.
FC Cincinnati used a 3-4-3 against Charleston with Adi and Mattocks joined by Roland Lamah up top. The three created space together in attacking areas while also recovering defensively. This was the first time Koch has opted for all three together, and they showed promising signs.
“They definitely bring something different,” Adi said. “The guys are fast on the wing. Of course, the more they play together, the better understanding will come. …They’re good players that can stretch the (field). It was interesting see us three together.”
Koch was also pleased with the three creating chances.
“I think the system we played Saturday with the players we put together in that game was something that was going to make us dangerous,” Koch said. “You can we went out and obviously created a lot of opportunities.”
About that penalty
For the first time in his life, a referee apologized to him, Adi said.
During the 56th minute, Adi rounded a Charleston defender and was fouled. While he was falling to the grass, he scored by guiding the ball to the near post and away from the goalkeeper. That should’ve been a goal.
It wasn’t, however.
Instead, the ref blew his whistle before the ball went into the net, effectively ending the play. While he still awarded a penalty for Cincinnati, he took a goal off the scoreboard.
“He told me it was a mistake,” Adi said.
Before the tournament, players met with the match officials. During conversations, the officials told clubs that VAR — video assistant referee — would be in use.
“You have to leave the play to finish,” Adi said. “You have VAR in the game, so why are you trying to call it so early? He accepted the mistake and apologized. It’s part of the game.”
Mattocks finishing his penalty meant FC Cincinnati received the goal it earned, but one it should’ve been given through open play.
“If this is a three-point game in the league and we (miss) the penalty, what happens next?” Adi said. “It’s a big learning moment for the referee as well as us, but it’s good Darren Mattocks stepped up and scored the goal.”
