FC Cincinnati was able to weather a 100-minute storm following its fastest goal in team history, securing a three-game winning streak thanks to Lucho Acosta’s goal after only 17 seconds.
Following the start of the match, DeAndre Yedlin picked up the ball and he saw Acosta making a fantastic run. Yedlin made a fantastic ball to send him away, which Acosta wonderfully controlled and then sent multiple Orlando players down, after which he easily slotted the ball into the net. This goal came only 17 seconds into the match, which was found to be the fastest goal in team history.
After the goal, Orlando took complete control of the match. It never really looked like FCC was comfortable possessing the ball or even passing through the midfield.
Wilder Cartagena consistently gave FCC fits when he found his way into the box, as Dagur Thorhallsson and Rafael Santos looked outstanding attacking outside on the wings.
That continued further into the match, when Facundo Torrest absolutely should have tied up the match but was unable to steer his shot toward goal.
It seemed like FCC was about to catch a break, as Yuya Kubo was brought down just outside the box by Rodrigo Schlegel. VAR ended up taking a look at the play and decided Denial of an Obvious Goal-Scoring Opportunity (DOGSO) was the call.
With how FCC was playing, this call looked to have given them a break and allow them to play better. That was not the case. Even while playing up a man for nearly 60 minutes, Orlando STILL played significantly better. It even looked like Orlando was the team playing up a man for the rest of the match.
This continued into the second half, when one would think manager Pat Noonan would be able to give his team instructions on how to better utilize the man advantage.
One of Orlando’s best chances came right after the second half began, as Ian Murphy was unable to stay on his man, allowing the opposition to get a shot on goal. However, he made up for it and made a wonderful goal-line clearance to keep the ball out.
Then, in the 60th minute, new loan signing Kevin Kelsy wasfinally brought on, and he immediately gave FCC something it needed. A big body that can hold up play and take on pressure.
While it definitely looked like FCC was in trouble, that problem was exacerbated in the 80th minute when fullback Bret Halsey, substituted on for Yedlin who came off injured, picked up a second yellow card. This card not only meant FCC would be down to 10 for the remainder of the match, but he will also miss next week’s Hell is Real Derby. Hopefully, Yedlin’s injury is only minor.
Funnily enough, FCC handled the Orlando attack much better when the team was down to 10 compared to when it was playing up a man.
While it is inexcusable the way that FCC played, especially while up a man for 60 minutes, three points on the road is still something. And with the Columbus Crew coming, confidence is something FCC will need to have.
Match 11– Orlando City SC vs. FC Cincinnati
Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, Florida
Result: FC Cincinnati 1, Orlando City 0
BOX SCORE
FC Cincinnati Starting XI:
Roman Celentano, Luca Orellano (Yamil Asad 87’), Ian Murphy, Matt Miazga, Miles Robinson, DeAndre Yedlin (Bret Halsey 55’), Pavel Bucha, Obinna Nwobodo, Luciano Acosta (C) (Gerardo Valenzuela 62’), Yuya Kubo (Alvas Powell 80’), Corey Baird (Kevin Kelsy 62’)
Substitutes not used: Alec Kann, Nick Hagglund, Kipp Keller, Malik Pinto
CF Montreal Starting XI:
Pedro Gallese, Rafael Santos (Nicolás Lodeiro 52’), Robin Jansson, Rodrigo Schlegel, Dagur Thórhallsson (Michael Halliday 45’+4), Wilder Cartagena, César Araújo, Iván Angulo, Facundo Torres (C) (Luis Muriel 70’), Martín Ojeda (David Brekalo 28’), Duncan McGuire
Substitutes not used: Mason Stajduhar, Felipe Martins, Jeorgio Kocevski, Jack Lynn, Kyle Smith
Discipline:
ORL – Rodrigo Schlegel (Red Card) 23’
ORL – César Araújo (Yellow Card) 30’
CIN – Bret Halsey (Yellow Card) 56’
ORL – Wilder Cartagena (Yellow Card) 62’
ORL – Robin Jansson (Yellow Card 65’)
CIN – Ian Murphy (Yellow Card) 66’
CIN – Bret Halsey (Second Yellow, Red Card) 78’
CIN – Gerardo Valenzuela (Yellow Card) 90’
ORL – Michael Halliday (Yellow Card) 90’+1
Next up:
at Columbus Crew, 7:45 p.m. Saturday, May 11, Lower.com Field (Columbus, Ohio)
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