In a rematch of familiar foes, marking the 16th meeting between the two clubs since FC Cincinnati joined MLS in 2019, FCC could not find the equalizer in the final moments after a furious effort to make up the deficit late, falling for the first time in 2024 2-1 to the New York Red Bulls.
The Orange and Blue got on the score sheet first as Yuya Kubo got the scoring started for FC Cincinnati. His second goal of the season, replicating his first, scored by connecting on a header from a Luciano Acosta flick pass to the far post. The goal was FCC’s first half goal since March 2 and with it coming just four minutes into the match. The goal was FC Cincinnati’s earliest of 2024 by a wide margin.
Kubo’s goal was his sixth in MLS all-time with FC Cincinnati, while the assist from Acosta marked his third of 2024 in league play and his 46th with The Orange and Blue.
The Red Bulls would not go quietly though, and responded to the early goal with one of their own from former FC Cincinnati draft pick Frankie Amaya to bring things even in the 19th minute.
Goalkeeper Evan Louro made his MLS debut for The Orange and Blue, stepping in for the injured Roman Celentano to make his first first team appearance with FC Cincinnati since joining the club in 2021. Louro showed up in a major way at the end of the first half, diving to stop a penalty kick, keeping the score even at the half-time break.
The Red Bulls would take the lead in the second half on a 60th minute run and finish from Dante Vanzeir, who slotted a shot that Louro got a piece of but could not stop in its entirety.
FCC fought furiously at the end, putting at least a dozen long chances across the box but none could find their target. The closest chance came on a Dado Valenzulea attempted cross in added time, but the pass to an open Corey Baird was intercepted before it could reach its target.
With the result, FCC remained at 12 points but fall to a tie for second place in the Eastern Conference due to other results around the league. The loss is the first regular season defeat at TQL Stadium since October 4, 2023. With the win, the Red Bulls supplanted FCC atop the standings as they earned their 14th point of the season.
FC Cincinnati don’t return to TQL Stadium for three weeks as The Orange and Blue venture out for their first back-to-back road-match-weekends of the 2024 MLS season. First FCC head north for a battle with CF Montreal in the club’s home opener on April 13, then go to the Peach State for a fixture with Atlanta United on April 20. The Orange and Blue do not return home until April 27 when they host the Colorado Rapids in their first tangle with a Western Conference team this season.
