Despite a 3-2 loss, FC Cincinnati sets a new USL attendance record.
FC Cincinnati were on the losing end tonight for the first time at Nippert Stadium as they fell 3-2 to river city rival Louisville City. It was an unforunate result for the USL expansion side despite the club setting a new USL regular season attendance record with 20,497 tickets sold.
It was an entertaining first half to say the least. 4 goals, and 4 cards one of them being of the red variety. FC Cincinnati got on the board early when Austin Berry headed home for the 2nd straight week for FC Cincinnati. It was a wonderful ball into the box from Tyler Polak. The free kick was made possible after Corben Bone was brought down from behind just outside of the Louisville penalty box.
But the FC Cincinnati lead did not last long at all. A first half hat trick for Louisville City forward Chandler Hoffman gave the visitors a lead at the half 3-1. Hoffman scored on a penalty kick in the 17th minute to tie the game after Austin Berry handled inside the FC Cincinnati penalty box. Mitch Hildebrandt guessed correctly for FC Cincinnati but it just missed his outstretched fingers.
Hoffman followed up that penalty kick with a backdoor tap in after a Kyle Smith cross rolls through the FC Cincinnati penalty area in the 25th minute.
The most impressive goal though from Hoffman came in the 35th minute. Newman with a cross in the box that Austin Berry appeared to have measured up. But the Louisville forward beat him to the ball and volleys home making it 3-1.
Despite the two goal lead, Louisville City were dealt a blow just before the halftime whistle when CB Sean Reynolds was shown a red card after his 2nd yellow of the match.
It’s the first time during this young season that John Harkes has found his squad on the losing side at the half.
FC Cincinnati controlled the possession in the 2nd half, but Louisville City turned in a strong performance on defense, parking the bus in front of their own net. Sean Okoli had a great chance on goal but the spectacular finish from last week, evaded him tonight as he miss hit on a side volley from the six yard box.
Pat McMahon scored late in stoppage time to reduce the deficit. It was just too little too late. As John Harkes said in his postgame press conference, “We just ran out of time.”
Now after setting a new league attendance record, the orange and blue hit the road and leave the country next weekend as they’ll take on Toronto FC II.
Match Notes
CIN – GOAL: Austin Berry (2) Assist: Polak 6:13
CIN – Yellow Card: Sean Okoli 9:45
LOU – GOAL: Chandler Hoffman (2) PK 15:53
LOU – GOAL: Chandler Hoffman (3) Assist: Smith 24:04
LOU – Yellow Card: Sean Reynolds 27:42
CIN – Yellow Card: Harrison Delbridge 31:56
LOU – GOAL: Chandler Hoffman (4) Assist: Newman 34:09
LOU – Red Card: Sean Reynolds (2nd yellow) 40:48
CIN – GOAL: Pat McMahon (1) Assist: Stevenson 90:00
Attendance: 20,497 USL Regular Season Record
Officials: Referee: Brandon Artis; Asst. Referee: Ronald Stuver; Igor Reznik;
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