HARRISON, N.J. – For the second time this season, FC Cincinnati and the New York Red Bulls drew 1-1 on Saturday night in front of 16,525 fans at Red Bull Arena.
Nine of FC Cincinnati’s last 12 games have ended in a draw. The Orange and Blue (8-8-10) move to 34 points and into seventh place at the completion of the result. The Red Bulls (11-8-8) maintain fourth place in the Eastern Conference with 41 points.
The Orange and Blue reach double-digit draws in a season for the first time in MLS club history. FCC become the fourth team to take 10 draws this season (Portland, Columbus, New England).
Matt Miazga, in his second game with FC Cincinnati upon his signing from Chelsea FC, scored his second career MLS goal in the 13th minute.
FC Cincinnati’s lone goal began with Álvaro Barreal sending a free kick into the box which Miazga, the New Jersey native and former Red Bulls defender, headed home past Red Bulls goalkeeper Carlos Coronel.
The goal was Miazga’s second career MLS goal, his first since June 28, 2015 with the Red Bulls against New York City FC at Yankee Stadium.
Miazga is the 33rd player in club history to score an MLS goal for the Orange and Blue all-time. He is the 18th different player for FCC to have scored a goal and/or an assist this season, extending the club’s single season record in the tally.
Álvaro Barreal’s assist was his 10th career with the Orange and Blue. He is the second player to reach double-digit assists in their FCC career (Luciano Acosta, 24).
The lead would last for 10 minutes, as Patryk Klimala converted from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute for the Red Bulls in what would prove to be the game’s decisive equalizer. New York was awarded a penalty after VAR determined Junior Moreno fouled Andres Reyes in the box.
The Orange and Blue’s three shots on Saturday night were the fewest in club history. In the three games in club history in which FC Cincinnati have recorded four shots or fewer in a game, the club is undefeated (4 shots: 3/10/19 at ATL, T 1-1; 4 shots: 7/22/20 vs RBNY, W 2-0; 3 shots: 8/20/22 at RBNY, T 1-1).
FC Cincinnati return to TQL Stadium for the home leg of the Hell is Real Derby on Saturday, August 27 against the Columbus Crew. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, and the game will be televised on WSTR 64, streamed regionally on fccincinnati.com/stream, out of market on ESPN+, on radio on ESPN 1530 while an audio stream will be available via the iHeartRadio app.
FC CINCINNATI GAME REPORT
FC Cincinnati at New York Red Bulls
Date: August 20, 2022
Competition: MLS Regular Season
Venue: Red Bull Arena
Attendance: 16,525
Kickoff: 6:08 p.m. ET
Weather: 82 degrees, clear
SCORING SUMMARY: 1-2-F
RBNY: 1-0-1
CIN: 1-0-1
RBNY - Patryk Klimala (PK) 23’
CIN - Matt Miazga (Álvaro Barreal) 13’
GAME NOTES
- All-time against the Red Bulls, FC Cincinnati are 2-4-3 including 1-2-2 at Red Bull Arena in the MLS series between the sides.
- Luciano Acosta started the game as FC Cincinnati’s captain for the 50th time on Saturday night.
- FC Cincinnati’s three shots were a new club low in an MLS game (previously: 4, twice: 3/10/19 at ATL [T, 1-1], 7/22/20 vs RBNY [W, 2-0]).
- Brandon Vazquez was held without a shot for FCC for the first time since May 4 against Toronto FC, a game in which he saw just 67 minutes of action … he is two shots shy of the club record for shots in a single season (Brenner, 67: 2021).
- Matt Miazga became the 33rd player in FC Cincinnati history to score an MLS goal for the club … the fourth player this season to score for the first time for the Orange and Blue (Murphy, Moreno, Harris).
- Miazga’s goal was the first for an FCC center back since April 30 at Toronto FC (Murphy) … he is the 18th different player for FCC to have scored a goal and/or an assist this season, extending the club’s single season record in the tally.
- Miazga scored his second career goal, against his former team in New York where he made 34 appearances with from 2013-15, debuting as a Homegrown Player in 2013 at 18 years old.
- Álvaro Barreal recorded his 10th career assist for FC Cincinnati on the Miazga goal … he is the second player in club history to reach double-digit assists for FCC (Luciano Acosta, 24).
- Barreal surpassed 4,000 minutes with FC Cincinnati in MLS regular season action, becoming the seventh player in club history to accomplish that (Hagglund, Deplagne, Acosta, Brenner, Cruz, Kubo).
- John Nelson made his 50th career MLS appearance.
- FC Cincinnati’s opponents have been awarded nine penalty kicks this season, the most in MLS.
- Obinna Nwobodo will miss the next match due to yellow card accumulation.
LINEUPS
CIN: Roman Celentano, Álvaro Barreal (John Nelson 78’), Matt Miazga (Ian Murphy 62’), Geoff Cameron, Nick Hagglund, Alvas Powell (Ray Gaddis 77’), Junior Moreno (Yuya Kubo 78’), Obinna Nwobodo, Luciano Acosta (C), Brenner, Brandon Vazquez (Arquimides Ordonez 90’)
Substitutes not used: Alec Kann, Tyler Blackett, Allan Cruz, Calvin Harris
Head Coach: Pat Noonan
RBNY: Carlos Coronel, Andres Reyes (Aaron Long 58’), Kyle Duncan, Sean Nealis (C), John Tolkin, Dru Yearwood (Steven Sserwadda 75’), Cameron Harper (Luquinhas 58’), Cristian Casseres Jr., Caden Clark (Lewis Morgan 58’), Daniel Edelman, Patryk Klimala (Tom Barlow 83’)
Substitutes not used: Ryan Meara, Frankie Amaya, Dylan Nealis, Tyler Pasher
Head Coach: Gerhard Struber
STATS SUMMARY: RBNY/CIN
Shots: 14 / 3
Shots on Goal: 3 / 2
Saves: 1 / 2
Corner Kicks: 3 / 1
Fouls: 15 / 13
Offside: 0 / 2
Possession: 52.2 / 47.8
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
CIN – Matt Miazga (Yellow Card) 37’
CIN – Obinna Nwobodo (Yellow Card) 66’
RBNY – Daniel Edelman (Yellow Card) 85’
OFFICIALS
Referee: Ismail Elfath
Ast. Referees: Corey Parker, Kyle Atkins
Fourth Official: Kevin Broadley
VAR: Edvin Jurisevic
Ast. VAR: Mike Kampmeinert
POSTGAME QUOTES
FC Cincinnati Head Coach Pat Noonan
On the result
“It was a sloppy game. I thought you're looking at both sides of the ball, defensively we were we were pretty strong. I thought Geoff Cameron was outstanding tonight. Obi [Nwobodo] really grew into the game, did a really good job in the middle of the field, helping us to win some balls and deal with the duels. Overall, with the ball we were subpar. Whether it was decision making on the ball, poor hold up play, we just didn't get enough out of our attack on the evening to be able to put them under a little bit more pressure on a consistent basis. So on a night where we weren't good with the ball, I think it's good that we were able to defend in a strong way and see out the game to make sure we get a point."
On if the result is disappointing based on the standings and recent draws
"Not really. I think on the road, it's still good to get a point. We have to think of it in those terms where when you're not playing your best, despite being up early, it's still a good point. If we take care of our results at home and can sneak a result on the road, I think it positions us well. So certainly we know we need to take care of our matches at home, but it's still important to get points on the road at this stage to keep us in the mix."
On the VAR awarded penalty decision
“I've looked at it, you know, it's tough. I think you have to look at the particular play and say, 'is it clear and obvious?' And you know, I could go either way. Again, if that happened on the other side, and we were able to get a penalty, I think it's one that could go either way to be quite honest. Because the player is going to ground, I don't think he really takes him down but you know, we get a piece of him and so it's unfortunate. But you know, the disappointing part is that was really the difference and you know it feels unfair in that regard. Again they had some chances, we had some half chances, but it's just a tough situation as far as maybe losing a little bit momentum with a goal lead and how we conceded."
On if the Vazquez, Brenner, Acosta offensive struggles was due to a Red Bulls concerted effort or individual struggles
"[A] combination, certainly. Because I think there was moments where, when it came to some duels and being stronger and holding the ball up, I thought their backline did a really good job of making life difficult for our front three. But then there were some moments where we found some space and we were able to get those guys on the ball with the opportunity to move us forward and then in those moments, I thought whether it was poor pass, poor decision, poor technically, we let ourselves down in those ways as well. I think it was a combination on the evening that certainly frustrated our attack."
On Miazga’s goal
"You could tell that meant a lot obviously being at his former club and some off the field stuff, which you might have seen from the celebration, it was more you see an asset on set pieces, and he did a good job to attack that wide free kick and get it on frame. So it just gives us another weapon on those set pieces and another way to score goals on a night where we weren't sharp in the run of play, he provided an important goal for us."
FC Cincinnati Defender Matt Miazga
On the result
“Obviously, when you're coming into the game, and you're leading 1-nil, you'd like to continue to close that out. But we're playing away, they're a difficult team, they work hard, they make it difficult with their style of play. I thought we defended really well. But I also think [there's] a lot of things to also work on and continue to progress. So now we just got to recover our bodies and start working hard again in training this week to prepare for Columbus, which is a derby. But ultimately, yeah, disappointed with the draw. But if you look back, they were on us for a good portion of the game, we had our moments, but I think we could have been a bit more composed as a team.”
On returning to face the Red Bulls
“I was hoping we'd have three points. I could walk off with three points. I'd rather get a clean sheet than score a goal, to be honest. But yeah, it was nice to be back. It was a weird feeling at first because I was always on the other side of the locker room. And this is where I grew up, you know, I was here since I was a kid. Going to games as a ball boy, as a fan. And then you know, going as a Homegrown [Player], and playing a lot of minutes and then leaving. So I always, hold Red Bull in my heart. But no it's FC Cincinnati. And I'm disappointed that we couldn't get the three points, because I think that was the most important thing on my mind, and our minds.”
Fans can place deposits now for 2023 Season Tickets, and current season ticket holders can renew for 2023 now. Anyone with interest in 2023 Season Tickets can place their deposit HERE, or by calling 513-977-KICK, that’s 513-977-5425.
FC Cincinnati's 2022 schedule can be viewed, HERE. Fans can build their custom 3 Match Flex Plan today. Pick any three matches and save on single match ticket pricing with no fees at checkout. Fans can pick the same seats for three games or select different options around TQL Stadium.
Single match tickets to any of FC Cincinnati’s remaining home games are also available now, head to fccincinnati.com/tickets or call 513-977-KICK, to learn more.
FC Cincinnati are playing 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.
