After creating attacking chance after chance Saturday night, FC Cincinnati conceded two late goals and lost 2-0 to the New York Red Bulls on Saturday night at Nippert Stadium.
Here are the takeaways from the match:
Simply unlucky
Throughout the match, Cincinnati always looked more likely to score, but Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles kept his side in the match and ultimately sealed FCC’s loss.
Fanendo Adi, who started for the first time since March 17 in the home opener, nearly scored in the sixth minute in a one-on-one situation, but Robles saved it. Later, Adi had a header that Robles tipped over the bar.
FC Cincinnati’s best chance, however, came from rookie Frankie Amaya, who sent a knuckling shot just under the cross bar in the 12th minute. Robles parried the ball out for a corner.
Cincinnati’s chances were limited in the second half, though. Eventually, the Red Bulls, who hadn’t taken a shot on goal all match, took the lead in the 80th minute when Matheiu Deplagne lost the ball under his feet, which Kaku stole and slotted past Spencer Richey. Omir Fernandez doubled the lead in stoppage time.
A return and a debut
As mentioned earlier, Adi started for the first time since FCC beat the Portland Timbers. His return to the starting lineup arrived as Darren Mattocks, the recent usual starting striker, missed the 18 with a hip injury.
Adi played well holding the ball up and created attacking chances for both himself and teammates.
Additionally, Nazmi Albadawi made his MLS debut in the 81st minute when he replaced Victor Ulloa as a center midfielder. Albadawi joined FC Cincinnati last season in USL but hadn’t recorded an MLS minute until the loss to New York.
What comes next
After Saturday night’s result, FC Cincinnati play the Colorado Rapids next Saturday night on the road. Kickoff is at 9 p.m. ET.
Captain and center back Kendall Waston will be unavailable for selection after a second-half yellow card against New York. It was his fifth this season, triggering a one-match suspension.
The Orange and Blue won’t play at Nippert again until June 22, when they host the LA Galaxy ... unless they are drawn a home game in the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup in mid June. That draw will take place late next week.
Before the LA game, however, the U.S. Men’s National Team visits Cincinnati for the first time on June 9 against Venezuela for a final tune-up before the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup, which starts a week later.
