In the end, the words and actions from the Orange and Blue didn’t matter. The solace from Head Coach Ron Jans in his press conference or verdicts from FC Cincinnati players in their locker room didn’t either.
What mattered is what happened in the dying moments of the match, when the visiting fans roared and howled, “This is our house,” from Nippert Stadium’s upper deck. Below them, the scoreboard read:
FC Cincinnati 1, Columbus Crew SC 3.
Here are the three takeaways from Sunday night:
Based on where Cincinnati sits in the standings, the playoff picture and bragging rights, the second #HellisReal Derby match of 2019 was simply the biggest match of FC Cincinnati’s inaugural MLS season. And in their biggest match, they started it with their worst half in 2019.
By the time Luís Díaz rifled a shot past Przemysław Tytoń in first half stoppage time for Columbus’ third goal, the match was over.
Up to that point, FC Cincinnati struggled to play cohesively and found themselves second-best in transition and quiet in attack. In truth, the game couldn’t have started any worse.
“In the first half, I didn’t see a team,” Jans said. “I didn’t see players doing the game plan … I don’t know why.”
All three of the Columbus goals came down the left side, but Jans said they were scored in the middle. In essence, the issues of preventing Crew attacks didn’t rest on any individual or area of the field.
FCC have conceded goals in the 40th minute or beyond in four consecutive matches. It’s occurred in seven of the last 10 games, too.
“It is an issue,” Jans said, before explaining his assessment as to why it’s continued. He said the same in the buildup to this match this past week.
To Jans, the issue is the Orange and Blue have tried to play too quickly in possession. As a result, when they play forward but lose possession, some players might be out of position or caught in transition.
That would explain all three goals Cincinnati conceded.
But as for the timing, he said the issue of rushing in possession – other than losing possession – is the reality that stamina isn’t infinite and it’s an easy way for players to tire late in half. Thus, late goals.
“It has to improve,” Jans said. “I can tell the player don’t concede a goal after 35 minutes in the first half, but I don’t know if that helps.”
What will help is if FCC can do that next Saturday at FC Dallas, and then continue that momentum through the remainder of the season.
If there was a positive, it was FC Cincinnati’s performance in the second half.
Yes, for large chunks of the final 45 minutes, it was too little too late. The three allowed in the first half was simply too much to overcome. But FCC played lively with three wingers across the front three and continued creating attack after attack.
Derrick Etienne Jr., who started for Cincinnati for the first time, nearly scored in the 56th minute after a solid shot from a clever Allan Cruz pass. Ten minutes later, Cruz would’ve scored if not for Eloy Room’s acrobatic save to parry the ball over the bar. On the ensuing corner kick, captain Kendall Waston’s header was just wide.
The home side finally scored in the 89th minute when Emmanuel Ledesma delivered a sublime pass to Kekuta Manneh, who poked the ball past Room to score against his former club.
Those final 45 minutes showed the attacking quality that should’ve been displayed from the start, but Jans said it’s something to build upon.
“In the second half, we did much more in the build up in possession and creating chances,” the head coach said. “We could’ve scored earlier, maybe. But that was playing as a team.”
What comes next
Following the home derby loss, FC Cincinnati go on the road to North Texas and play at FC Dallas. The match will be the first and only between the sides this season, and will see Victor Ulloa and Roland Lamah play against their former club. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET at Toyota Stadium in Frisco.
