FC Cincinnati played Philadelphia Union to a 1-1 draw Thursday at the Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex in the Orange and Blue’s second Preseason game.
Julian Carranza scored for Philadelphia in the 2nd minute. After the early strike, FCC settled into the contest and leveled the scored in the 38th minute on an equalizer from Yuya Kubo.
FCC Academy midfielder Harrison Robledo took the ball and connected with Kubo, whose left-footed strike from outside the 18-yard box found the back of the net past the outstretched Union goalkeeper.
Lineup by half
First half:
Luciano Acosta, Zico Bailey, Ray Gaddis (C), Nick Hagglund, Alec Kann, Yuya Kubo, Haris Medunjanin, Ian Murphy, Quimi Ordonez, Harrison Robledo, Brandon Vazquez
First half substitutes:
15th min: IN: Stiven Jimenez, OUT: Haris Medunjanin
Second half:
Luciano Acosta, Isaac Atanga, Roman Celentano, Jonas Fjeldberg, Avionne Flanagan, Nick Hagglund (C), Calvin Harris, Stiven Jimenez, Yuya Kubo, Ben Mines, Ian Murphy
Second half substitutes:
60th: IN: Brandon Vazquez, OUT: Luciano Acosta
71st: IN: Zico Bailey, Morgan Marshall, Quimi Ordonez, Harrison Robledo, OUT: Nick Hagglund, Stiven Jimenez, Yuya Kubo, Ian Murphy
FC Cincinnati Head Coach Pat Noonan
What did you think about today's scrimmage against Philadelphia overall?
“It was a really slow start. First 20-25 minutes, we couldn't find a rhythm. Couldn't deal with the pressure in a way where we can move the ball forward and get numbers forward. We couldn’t make it difficult for them and. We weathered the storm. I was really pleased with the response after conceding early and not playing particularly well for 20-25 minutes to start the game.
“But the response in the last 20 minutes to start to connect passes to move forward, I thought we were better connected and how we look to play forward, which led to our two best moments. We were able to turn the ball over higher up the field and it led to Yuya’s goal. I was pleased with the response to the group to get into halftime, 1-1, just on the score line and the mentality.
“But you know, second half, it's challenging, there was so many moving parts with guys having to come in and come out, you know, so that's less than ideal. But the effort was good. There were some things that we did, you know, I thought well, in the second half with trying to get in behind when we were able to play through them. So overall pleased with how we were able to push ourselves and it'll be another good game to look back and make some adjustments and improvements and talk through it as a group.”
You mentioned some of those moments, were you able to see moments throughout the game where the guys were trying to implement those transitions you talked about?
“At the end of the first half, yes, when we were able to get our midfielders a little bit higher and more connected to our strikers. Then when we won the ball, we had quicker options, outside backs, started to take up higher positions to give us some width. We have different options on how we can connect forward in those moments. And then in the second half, I thought, you know, a couple times were able to find arbitrators to turn face goal, that, you know, between Calvin and Isaac, Brandon as well, Quimi at different moments, they all looked to threaten the backline. I was pleased with how we like to challenge them in those ways. And, again, it's the execution that we're still a little bit off on. But I do think that they were starting to identify some of the things that we trained leading up to the game and recognize the moments in game to try to get in behind and find goalscoring opportunities.”
You always want to see training translate to game situations. Is it good to see Yuya Kubo scoring goals from outside the box, just like he was working on in training the other day?
“Yeah, we've encouraged him and pushed him to be in more advanced positions, because you can see his technical quality and how he can receive and how he can connect with his teammates and certainly how he can finish off plays. He was in a good spot and to be able to strike a ball, you know, with his left foot in the way he did and find a goal. That's why we want him in those advanced positions.”
How was it facing your former club for the first time?
“It was fun, it's good to see him all again and say hello and catch up briefly, but it's a good group. It was a good challenge for us today. So I'm pleased with the outcome.”
FC Cincinnati return to Preseason game action Friday, Feb. 11 against Saint Louis City SC. The Orange and Blue will play three more games before the season opener on Saturday, Feb. 26 at Austin FC.
FC Cincinnati's 2022 schedule can be viewed HERE. 2022's home schedule begins at TQL Stadium when the club hosts D.C. United in the home opener on March 5. Fans can get the best tickets at the best price to the best matches all season long, including the home opener, by purchasing season tickets at fccincinnati.com/tickets or by calling 513-977-KICK, that’s 513-977-5425.
Fans can also purchase half-season ticket packages, starting at just $170, and single match tickets to any of FC Cincinnati’s 17 home games are available now.
FC Cincinnati begin their fourth season of MLS competition in 2022, and their second playing at TQL Stadium. For up-to-the-minute information about FC Cincinnati, visit the team’s official website at fccincinnati.com, or follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @FCCincinnati. Additionally, fans are encouraged to download the team’s official mobile app on the Apple App Store or Google Play for instant access to mobile tickets, team content and match notifications.
