After a dominant performance in Honduras, FC Cincinnati didn’t need much to advance past FC Motagua in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. The Orange and Blue were able to get that done with a 1-1 draw, making the aggregate total 5-2.
First Half
FCC had a good blend of high-profile players and rotational players in the starting XI. Amir Daley, of FCC2, made his debut with the first team at right wing back, on his birthday of all days. Star signings Kevin Denkey and Evander headed up the attack. Motagua fielded a considerably strong lineup with the flashy Rodrigo Auzmendi, the lone goal scorer from the first match, heading up the attack. The first half is where we got to see the most action.
In the ninth minute, a throw in for Motagua led to a Yeison Mejia volley delivery into the box. Auzmendi beat Noah Adnan on his first step and was able to redirect the ball with a left-footed shot past Evan Louro into the net. The early goal may have raised concerns at the moment, but despite the 0-1 scoreline, FCC still had a comfortable lead on aggregate 4-2.
FCC would respond in the 19th minute. A fantastic press from Brian Anunga sprung a high-speed attack deep inside the Montagua defense. Corey Baird drove the ball forward before splitting the defense to Denkey. Denkey fooled the Motagua goalkeeper and elected for a near post shot. The ball caressed the net and just like that the match was level.
K E V I N 💥pic.twitter.com/0bou2SN8bv
— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) February 27, 2025
Second Half
The halftime break saw many substitutions by the Orange and Blue. Denkey, Evander, and Miles Robinson made way for Stefan Chirila, Yuya Kubo, and Gilberto Flores. Interestingly, new addition Flores took up the central defender position for FCC’s back three. Anunga received the captain’s armband from Robinson, demonstrating the leadership position he has earned in his short time with the club.
Unfortunately, in the 51st minute, Daley would go down with an injury. A challenge against Riky Zapata appeared to have ended in some sort of left shoulder injury. Daley had had a strong debut with several goal scoring chances created.
Apart from a few chances by Chirila, Kubo, and Alvas Powell, the match really slowed down. Motagua needed to overcome a four-goal deficit to have hopes of advancing. FCC were perfectly comfortable with seeing the match out with the 1-1 scoreline.
Goals
CIN – Kévin Denkey (Baird) 19’
MOT – Rodrigo Auzmendi (Núñez) 9’
Lineups
CIN: Evan Louro, Bret Halsey, Alvas Powell, Miles Robinson (C) (Gilberto Flores 46’), Noah Adnan, Amir Daley (Teenage Hadebe 53’), Pavel Bucha (Kenji Mboma Dem 79’), Tah Brian Anunga, Evander (Yuya Kubo 46’), Corey Baird, Kévin Denkey (Stefan Chirila 46’)
Substitutes not used: Roman Celentano, Paul Walters, Nick Hagglund, Obinna Nwobodo, Lukas Engel, Stiven Jimenez, DeAndre Yedlin
MOT: Marlon Licona, Raúl Santos (C), Jonathan Núñez, Giancarlo Sacaza, Cristopher Meléndez, Luis Vega, Riky Zapata, Walter Martínez (Jorge Serrano 76’), Yeison Mejía (Carlos Mejia 46’), Héctor Castellanos (Denis Melendez 82’), Rodrigo Auzmendi (Diego Ledesma 89’)
Substitutes not used: Jonathan Rougier, John Turcios-Castillo, Rodrigo Gomez, Edwin Munguia, Jefryn Macias, Emilio Izaguirre, Mathias Vasquez
Discipline
CIN – Amir Daley (Yellow Card) 27’
MOT – Cristopher Meléndez (Yellow Card) 55’
Next Match
MLS Regular Season: at Philadelphia Union, 7:30 p.m. Saturday March 1st; AppleTV+
CONCACAF Champions Cup: vs Tigres UANL, TBD Kickoff Tuesday March 4th; TBD Broadcast
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