In FC Cincinnati’s 2-1 win against Louisville City FC last Wednesday, Prezemysław Tytoń’s biggest contribution surprisingly came in front of the opposite goal.
Tytoń’s long ball to Emmanuel Ledesma sent the Argentine sprinting down the right flank before he smashed a pin-point cross toward the back post to a sprinting Kekuta Manneh, who headed Cincinnati into the lead in the 103rd minute.
The moment was significant for Tytoń and FCC alike.
For the club, it beat its former USL rival and advanced to the 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 16. Cincinnati plays at Saint Louis FC on Wednesday night for a spot in the Cup’s quarterfinals against Atlanta United FC next month.
For the Polish goalkeeper, the win was his first with the Orange in Blue in his Nippert Stadium debut. The match also marked his return to the field after not playing since May 4 at the San Jose Earthquakes.
“I am satisfied after a long time that I didn’t play,” Tytoń said after the game. “I tried to help my team in situations and I think I did well, so I am happy with my performance.”
With Cincinnati playing Saint Louis, the match could be another opportunity for Titi to play after battling injuries and illness earlier this season. After beating Louisville, Interim Head Coach Yoann Damet mentioned his keeper seized his opportunity.
“It’s important for me to give him that opportunity,” Damet said. “We spoke to him, he knew that the Cup was important for him, so it was a good time to have this opportunity, so a lot of pressure (on him).
“It’s not easy to come into games like that and face the pressure. It’s the derby and the first game in the Cup, so we wanted to use that game as an opportunity to turn the season around. I think he did well.”
