2019 Match Reports

FC Cincinnati Hold Chicago to 0-0 Draw

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FC Cincinnati collect a point in a hard fought scoreless draw at Nippert Stadium. The Orange and Blue have earned two shutouts in their last three games and earned a 1-1-1 record during that period.

 Photo credit: Jeremy Miller

FC Cincinnati collected a point in a hard fought scoreless draw at Nippert Stadium. Coach Ron Jans changed his tactics from high press to defend and counter in the past three games and it is paying off. The Orange and Blue have earned two shutouts in their last three games and earned a 1-1-1 record during that period. Chicago is now the second Eastern conference team unable to beat Cincinnati in its inaugural MLS season.

The game itself was tense for Cincinnati fans. The majority of the match was spent in Cincinnati’s half where Chicago strung together 248 accurate passes. FCC’s defense held strong and did a better job of clearing the ball when under pressure as well as providing cover behind the pressuring defender. The back line blocked almost half of Chicago’s shots and limited their opportunities on crosses. Young Super Draft pick, Tommy McCabe stepped into the defensive midfield position and also provided good cover for the defense.

The Orange and Blue did get a few opportunities on the counter especially in the second half when Joseph-Claude Gyau came in the game and was able to take advantage of the space Chicago created as they pressed forward. In the 79th minute, Roland Lamah almost curled a ball perfectly into the far post, but Kronholm, Chicago’s keeper, was able to push it just wide.

One minute later, off the ensuing corner, Emmanuel Ledesma volleyed the ball into the box and Maikel van der Werff looked to head in the match winner only to have the crossbar deny him.

For this tough season, the draw felt like a victory to many. The fans were excited and the team left the pitch for the locker room with smiles on their faces. “It was a hard-fought point, and the game could have gone either way,” commented Joseph-Claude Gyau. “It gives us some good confidence moving forward into the next game.”

By the Numbers:

  • Cincinnati had 46.5% possession. Up slightly from the previous two games of 39.6% and 33.6%.
  • Cincinnati had 78% passing accuracy. Previous two games were 70% and 72%.
  • Chicago made 377 accurate passes. 248 of those passes were in Cincinnati’s half.
  • Chicago took 16 shots. Six shots were blocked. Cincinnati took ten shots. Only one was blocked.
  • Chicago made 32 crosses. Only seven crosses were accurate. Cincinnati made five crosses.
  • Chicago only had one shot on target. Cincinnati had three on target. Same as the last shut versus Montreal.
  • Tytoń was only forced to make one save during the game. Same as the last shut out versus Montreal.

Matchday 32
FC Cincinnati vs. Chicago Fire
Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
Attendance: 26,466
Result: FC Cincinnati 0, Chicago Fire 0

Injuries:
Allan Cruz (concussion)
Kekuta Manneh (hip)
Darren Mattocks (ankle)
Jimmy McLaughlin (knee)
Spencer Richey (back)
Caleb Stanko (illness)

FC Cincinnati Starting XI:
Przemysław Tytoń (GK), Mathieu Deplagne, Maikel van der Werff, Kendall Waston, Greg Garza, Tommy McCabe, Leonardo Bertone 90′, Frankie Amaya, Emmanuel Ledesma, Derrick Etienne Jr. 64’, Rashawn Dally 45′
Bench: Andrew Gutman ST, Joseph-Claude Gyau 45′, Nick Hagglund, Jimmy Hague, Roland Lamah 26′, Victor Ulloa

Chicago Fire Starting XI:
Kenneth Kronholm, Jonathan Bornstein, Francisco Calvo, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Johan Kappelhof, Brandt Bronico 77’, Dax McCarty, Przemysław Frankowksi, Nicolas Gaitan 58’, C.J. Sapong 66’, Nemanja Nikolic
Bench: Micheal Azira, Jeremiah Gutjahr, Fabian Herbers 13′, Aleksandar Katai 24′, Marcelo, Djordje Mihailovic 32′, Richard Sánchez

Scoring Summary:
N/A

Discipline:
CIN – 20′ Kendall Waston
CHI – 25′ C.J. Sapong
CHI – 30′ Dax McCarty

Next up:
Orlando City SC, 5:00 p.m. Sunday, September 29th, Nippert Stadium

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