After conceding two goals within four minutes early in the first half, FC Cincinnati rallied but failed to score themselves, and lost 2-0 to the LA Galaxy on Saturday night at Nippert Stadium before a sold-out crowd.
Here are takeaways from the match:
FC Cincinnati created chances they couldn’t finish
The two goals allowed were preventable. On the first, Emmanuel Boateng was left with too much space 20 yards out and he punished the home side’s backline for this first goal this season. Minutes later, a defensive miscommunication allowed Favio Alvarez to smash a shot past Spencer Richey.
The two goals were deserved, but preventable. The problem, however, is Cincinnati failed to deliver a response.
In the 22nd minute, Emmanuel Ledesma headed the ball over the cross bar with David Bingham out of position. Later, Cincinnati took shots but never fully challenged Bingham. Rashawn Dally’s 71st minute shot was pushed wide, while Kekuta Manneh fired an effort directly at the keeper 11 minutes later.
Mounting concerns with limited resources
Entering the game, Roland Lamah, Fanendo Adi and Greg Garza were all out with injuries. Pile those on top of the four players missing to play at the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup, and FC Cincinnati were left with 17 players fielded to play against LA.
The match was the first time in FCC’s four-year history that they didn’t have a full 18 of players available for a league match.
But problems got worse in the second half.
Three minutes after halftime, Fatai Alashe went down with a hamstring injury.
Additionally, a yellow card from Leo Bertone means he’ll be suspended next Saturday at Minnesota United FC for yellow card accumulation.
What comes next
Saturday night was officially the midway point in FCC’s inaugural MLS season. As of now, they’ve played 17 games of the 34-game season.
Because they lost 1-0 on Wednesday night to Saint Louis FC in the 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, Cincinnati’s only remaining games will be in MLS regular-season play – unless they qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs.
As for the club’s short term, the team plays at Minnesota United FC in the brand new Allainez Field on ESPN. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. ET.
