USL Preseason Game 1: FC Cincinnati vs. New England Revolution
IMG Academy
While FC Cincinnati took to the pitch today, many FCC fans woke up and quickly discovered the stream to the game was not available due to a request from the New England Revolution to not have it available. Only a couple of the lucky spectators, including our own Nick Seuberling and Bill Wolf, saw the Orange and Blue draw Major League Soccer club the New England Revolution. Our guys stepped up and live-tweeted so numerous FCC followers could get a sense of what was going on.
The 2018 edition of FC Cincinnati took to the field for first time in 2018 against the Revs and their new Manager Brad Friedel. FCC lined up in their black third kits and in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Newton in goal. Smith, Lasso, De Wit, Hoyte filled the backline, while Walker and Halfhill played holding midfielder. The lineup was rounded out with Danni König up top, Bone at the CAM with Ledesma and Laing filling out the wings. The Revolution came out in kits that had tiny numbers so it was difficult at best to keep track of their players.
As the whistle sounded to start the game the boys seem to struggle to acclimate themselves to a game right away. However, New England, who had two games under their belts, already looked the part and quickly took the offensive. The Revs found a great opportunity in the second minute, where they were able to split Cincy’s backline and get a ball to Penilla who took a shot from 15 yards but it was parried away by Newton. Cincinnati seized its first opportunity in the tenth minute when Lance Laing made a great cross to König who just missed. FCC was able to gain some control and hold their own but was not able to create any dangerous chances in the opening 30 minutes.
New England was able to create a couple more chances in the 24th minute and 28th minutes when Newton had to come outside of the penalty box to break up a Rev counter and then make another save off a deflected shot from twelve yards out. After a quick water break, FCC took the lead with Ledesma showing some fine foot skills and finding Corben Bone who put the ball into the back of the net for the early lead. The first half ended with FCC in top 1-0.
The second half saw both teams come out with some fresh legs, FCC brought in a ten new players including a couple of trialists, with Welshman playing up top and Village in goal where he ended the first half. Keinan and Barrett were the new center backs, while Naz was in his familiar CAM spot. New England’s fresh legs were able to capitalize in the 48th when Brandon Bye put away the early opportunity to tie things up. Penilla sent Bye free with a quick flick down the right side where he made a move around a trialist and was able to slot it home to tie it up. New England had the majority of possession for the first 20 minutes of the half and had multiple shots to show for it but was not able to push another past Village or Richey, who subbed on in the 60th.
After the 70th-minute water break, Matt Bahner was brought down by Zachary Herivaux who was quickly shown a red card, but New England was allowed to bring on a sub for preseason. FCC almost made quick work with the ensuing free kick when Albadawi found the head of Keinan but he was not able to find the net. The Revolution almost returned the favor in the 84th when a corner soared beyond Richey’s reach but Barrett was able to clear it from the line and a sure goal. The game concluded in a 1-1 draw, the second half was controlled mostly by New England with FCC only having a couple opportunities but to walk away with zero injuries and game time under our belt was a victory in itself.
3 Thoughts
- Manu e’ Mano – One thing we can only hope to see more of this season is our own Emmanuel [Manu] Ledesma one on one with an opponent. Manu’s ability to create something from nothing is something we have not seen a lot of, but we should see more magic from his feet during the year. He created an opportunity that Corben Bone was able to capitalize on.
- The Old Guard – This is not to say anyone is old, but more to the fact that the returning players are not going away easily and that is a good thing. A number of last year players showed their worth and it is great to see that they will contribute immensely to this club. We are also waiting for Josu and Jimmy to come back from their injuries and contribute. One thing is for sure, this team will be deeper than the 2017 version.
- Minutes – It is important to note that everyone played, except those who were injured. At this point in the preseason, it is as much about fitness as it is about building team chemistry. It is a long season, but the season opener is right around the corner and with the recent cold spell in Cincinnati the boys have not had the time to really stretch their legs out in a competitive environment. Today was a successful one in which nobody was injured and everyone got valuable minutes, even Coach Koch said after the game “We fought through fatigue, but it definitely gave us something to build on.”
Box Score
32′ – Cincinnati – Bone (Ledesma)
48′ – New England – Bye (unassisted)
Interviews
Midfielder Corben Bone
Head Coach Alan Koch
Goalkeeper Evan Newton
Next Up:
Saturday 2/10 @ 3:30pm- vs Tampa Bay Rowdies – IMG Academy
@khoetker for @CincySoccerTalk
Recommended for you
