In their first road test of the young MLS season, FC Cincinnati stepped up and earned their first three-point performance of the season, defeating Chicago Fire 2-1 Saturday night at Soldier Field.
After a back and forth opening to the match, FC Cincinnati struck first in the 39th minute when Aaron Boupendza intercepted an errant pass at the top of the box and put a strike on that beat the diving keeper to the lower left side. The goal was Boupendza’s first of the MLS season and second in as many games across all competitions.
As the half expired though, a VAR check determined FCC had committed a foul in their own box and awarded a penalty kick to Chicago. The Fire was converted moments later to level the match at one heading back into the locker rooms.
The second half was all FC Cincinnati as they peppered the Fire with set pieces and dangerous corner kicks. On the eighth corner kick of the evening, Luciano Acosta feathered a low cross to Miles Robinson, who appeared in the space of a keyhole to tap in his first career goal for The Orange and Blue in the 68th minute. With the goal, Robinson became the fifth first-time goal scorer for FC Cincinnati this season across all competitions.
FC Cincinnati would finish the game out with the 2-1 result, including late important clearances from Roman Celentano, Miles Robinson, Matt Miazga and Ian Murphy.
With the win, FC Cincinnati improve to 1-0-1 with four points, leaving them tied for second place in the Eastern Conference with a game in hand on first place Inter Miami CF.
FC Cincinnati are back in action Thursday night at TQL Stadium with Liga MX side CF Monterrey visiting for the first leg in the Round of 16 of the Concacaf Champions Cup. MLS play resumes for The Orange and Blue next Sunday, March 10 at TQL Stadium as D.C. United visits the Queen City.
