FC Cincinnati secured their pathway to the Round of 16 of the Concacaf Champions Cup, scoring four times to triple their aggregate lead while not conceding a goal to win 4-0 Wednesday night over Cavalier FC of the Jamaica Premier League.
Alvas Powell opened the scoring on the night by tapping in a pass from Bret Halsey to secure his first ever goal as a member of FC Cincinnati. Powell started his career playing in the Jamaica Premier League for Portmore United FC before coming to MLS in 2013. His first half goal made him the 42nd all-time goal scorer for FCC. Halsey's assist was his second assist of the Cup Competition, and third for FCC.
Aaron Boupendza added to FCC attack, doubling the lead in the 34 minute with a rocket left foot shot from outside of the box. The shot, assisted by Dado Valenzuela, was the Gabonese striker's sixth goal across all competitions for FCC.
Second half goals from Isaiah Foster and Valenzuela also marked firsts for the youngsters as both scored their first career goals for The Orange and Blue. Valenzuela’s 77th minute goal made him the youngest goal scorer in club history, surpassing Frankie Amaya’s finish in July 2020.
With the clean sheet, Roman Celentano has kept opponents scoreless for 270 minutes across all competitions in 2024, marking the second time in his career he has logged three clean sheets in a row..
FC Cincinnati is back in action this weekend as MLS play resumes. The Orange and Blue will hit the road in league play for the first time this season for a match with Chicago Fire FC. Concacaf Champions Cup play will return to TQL Stadium next Thursday, March 7, when The Orange and Blue host Brandon Vazquez and CF Monterrey of Liga MX.
