Matchday #13 FC Cincinnati vs. Charlotte Independence
Nippert Stadium – Attendance: 21,115
FC Cincinnati battled back after an early first half Charlotte goal but the Orange & Blue faithful were left frustrated as the club drew the Independence 1-1 at home.
It started off as a hot evening in Cincinnati as two teams fighting for a top 8 playoff spot took to the pitch.
Early on Charlotte controlled most of the possession pumping in several chances at the FC Cincinnati goal. Mitch Hildebrandt was able to parry away a couple but gave up the first goal in the 18th minute. Jorge Herrera found Alex Martinez who drove up the left flank to beat Matt Bahner and hit a bullet near post into the top of the net. This was a culmination of events that stemmed from the fact that there was a systematic breakdown in midfield that allowed Martinez and others get into dangerous situations in the first 30 minutes.
FC Cincinnati fought back towards the end of the half as they started to settle and create scoring chances. The home team netted the game tying goal on a terrific strike from former Arsenal man, Justin Hoyte. Hoyte was able to cut in from the left and hit a tremendous curler around the Independence goalkeeper just before the half closed.
WATCH: Justin Hoyte score a goal for FCC in the 44′ #CINvCLT pic.twitter.com/uU19ghdY02
— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) June 10, 2017
At half, Coach Koch went into the locker room displeased as FC Cincinnati conceded 58% of the possession and allowed Charlotte to have too much space that let them impose their will during the half.
After the break, FC Cincinnati started to come out of their shell and controlled most of the second half possession. They began to pressure Charlotte on the ball but were unable to capitalize as their chances have gone wanting once again. Jimmy McLaughlin continued his fine form and seemed to benefit with the arrival of Kenney Walker back into the main squad but neither could find the final ball into Danni Konig.
Good news for the home squad was that Djiby Fall was able to make his way back onto the pitch in the 72nd minute for his first appearance after a 6 game suspension in USL play. Unfortunately, Djiby was unable to keep his scoring streak going for the club failing to provide any real dangerous scoring chances.
To sum up the overall disappointment in the match, Coach Alan Koch had this to say afterward. “Sometimes a point can feel like a win, sometimes it can feel like a loss. After our success at Nippert this season, we come here and expect to win. I think we looked good at moments, but individual, little mistakes prevented us from coming out on top.”
PLAYER RATINGS
Make sure to vote on the performance of for favorite FC Cincinnati players from Saturday’s match. VOTE HERE or https://goo.gl/forms/xdcOnNXDi0jnXFIz1
3 Things to Know
Does this formation work? At what point do we move on from the 4-5-1/ 4-3-3? FC Cincinnati was once again anemic in front of goal. In 15 matches, FCC has scored more than 1 goal only twice. General Manager Jeff Berding wanted 62 goals and the club is drastically off that mark. I know a 1-0 win is 3 points but this is becoming more and more of unattractive and ineffective soccer. We need 3 points on a consistent basis and we are getting way too close to becoming a middling team in the USL. The window is closing and we need to make up ground if we want to host a playoff game.
Hoyte opens his account. Justin Hoyte came up big for the Orange & Blue on both sides of the ball. In the 45th minute, the left back hit a wonderful shot that clinched the point for FC Cincinnati. In the 2nd half, Hoyte looked good getting up the flank putting the FCC attack in dangerous situations. If FC Cincinnati is going to take some of the scoring pressure off Djiby and Konig, Hoyte may be the guy to do it.
Hell is Real: With Saturday night’s result, FC Cincinnati now turns their attention to the neighbor up north in Columbus Crew SC for the first “Hell is Real” Derby. Early ticket sales have not disappointed for this highly anticipated matchup. In addition to the home support, we can expect 1,000+ Crew supporters to travel down I-71. In the past, the Crew has downplayed their first Cup game of the season by running out second string players. It remains to be seen what squad Coach Gregg Berhalter runs out but this new rivalry sure has the attention of Crew players and their owner Anthony Precourt. One would expect that they run out a stronger than normal squad for the Fourth Round fixture. Make sure to read Bryan Weigel’s article why we need you this Wednesday night.
#HellisReal
T-Minus 1 week pic.twitter.com/qwlSdy7W6T— Adam Jahn (@AdamJahn14) June 7, 2017
Box Score
FC Cincinnati Starting XI (4-3-3): Hildebrandt (GK); (R-L) Bahner, Berry, Delbridge, Hoyte, Bone, K Walker (79′), Quinn; Dacres (64′), König (72′), McLaughlin
Subs: Jaye (GK), Polak, Josu (64), Halfhill, Wiedeman (79′), Dominguez, Fall (72′)
Charlotte Independence Starting XI (4-5-1): Mizell (GK), Johnson, Kalungi, Waechter, Yearwood; A. Martinez, Ross, Marques Davidson (76′), E. Martinez, Estrada (84′); Herrera (76′)
Subs: Likewise, Hilton (76′), Spies, Ekra (76′), Siaj, Townsend (84′)
Scoring
18′ – Charlotte – Alex Martinez, (Jorge Herrera)
45′- FC Cincinnati- Justin Hoyte
Discipline
17′ – Charlotte – E. Martinez – Yellow
43′ – FC Cincinnati – Kenney Walker – Yellow
55′ – Charlotte- L. Waechter – Yellow
89′ – Charlotte- E. Martinez – 2nd Yellow/ Red
Next Up:
U.S. Open Cup: Wednesday 6/14 – vs. Columbus Crew SC – 7 p.m. EST – Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, OH.
@bradleysweigel for @CincySoccerTalk
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