FC Cincinnati (2W-0D-2L, 6 pts) traveled to Bank of America Stadium Saturday night after Tigres ejected them from the CONCACAF Champions Cup on Tuesday. During a mid-week press conference, Pat Noonan said that tired legs were a factor in that game, and he had pulled Pavel Bucha off due to tightness, once again shining a tremendous light on what a key figure Pavel represents in the midfield. For Saturday, the team had only three days to prepare. Also, the Togolese National Team announced that they had called up Kévin Denkey. He will miss the March 22nd home game against Atlanta. Would he leave us with a reason to smile?
Charlotte (2W-1D-1L, 7 pts) returned home after a frustrating loss to Inter Miami on Sunday. Despite the referee sending off Miami’s goalkeeper with a straight red card before the end of the first half, Charlotte would still lose the contest 1-0. Luis Suárez assisted Tadeo Allende just 30 seconds into the second half. Before Miami, Charlotte was undefeated with a draw to Seattle and a solid win over Atlanta. They returned home highly motivated to get back on track. With five days to prepare, and playing at home, it would seem they had the definite advantage. Would Bank of America Stadium remain the only undefeated Eastern Conference venue for FC Cincinnati?
first half
Yes—it was clear from the opening that this wouldn’t be a good night for the Orange and Blue. At just 38 seconds, a failed clearance by Flores (who fell to the ground in pain) bounced backward directly to the feet of Agyemang. Miles Robinson was able to track back and help avert disaster with Celentano. Agyemang knocked on the door again less than two minutes later resulting in Celentano’s first work of the night. At this point, dropping your whiskey shot into your Guinness and quickly drinking them both would have been the best advice.
FC Cincinnati would awaken and produce some solid moments. Evander would take a shot that sailed way over the bar, and he produced a decent corner delivery that was nullified. Decent possession and development out of the back and through the middle by FCC would time and again fall flat near the opposing box. The teams would trade fireworks, Charlotte’s Zaha with a shot that missed just wide at the 13th minute, and FCC with an opportunity a minute later when an Engel cross just missed the outstretched toe of Denkey in the six.
Evander and Denkey would both attempt technical passes near the top of the 18 to try and set up shots to no avail. Minutes later Zaha would be ready to strike, only to fail and turn the ball over to FCC, who would counter and produce a shot attempt of their own. The half would continue in this manner until the 26th minute, when Miles would be called on to defend a run by Agyemang. Boos rained down as many thought it was a clear penalty in the box. Miles would soon after exit the game after spending time on the ground holding his left leg, and Hadebe would come on.
The game continued with both teams scrapping. As the half entered the 45th minute, Agyemang would again find himself poised to strike, but Flores would grab him from behind and spin him around, sending him to the turf. Flores was fortunate to only get a yellow card for the infraction, as VAR did review it for a red. As the teams entered the locker room 0-0, it was clear that FC Cincinnati had been on the back foot, producing few real threats offensively.
second half
The second half would start optimistically, with a shot from Luca Orellano at the 47th minute. But moments later, after a corner kick defended by Charlotte, Bucha would make an errant header backward. Liel Abada picked it up and raced down the field chased by Flores and Yedlin to score confidently past Celetano, 1-0 Charlotte. Had you chosen to visit the fridge for a beverage to medicate your frustration, you would have likely missed another very clean goal by Agyemang just minutes later. Assisted deftly by Biel, the pass was well placed, and Flores was torched, 2-0 Charlotte.
The energy levels for both teams began to drop, more so for FC Cincinnati. Evander did find himself in position for a shot at the 62nd minute but couldn’t get it by Kalina. While FC Cincinnati would find time in the opposing box often, they were unable to produce. Most attempts required an easy clearance by the Charlotte defense and Kalina. We would see a nice free kick from Evander bounce off the frame, but this would be the last gasp. Santos would relieve Kubo in the 73rd minute. Nwobodo would pick up a yellow for persistent infringement in the 78th minute. With minutes to play, Corey Baird and Dado Valenzuela would come on for Engel and Nwobodo.
As if to put a sadistic bow on their journey of trials & misfortunes, Flores would be sent off with a second yellow in the 83rd minute. Unless overturned, he will miss next Saturday’s home game against Atlanta. Dean Smith brought on fresh legs and Charlotte closed out the match.
postgame
After the game, Pat Noonan concluded for the second consecutive game that it was a “tough night.” Focusing on “a bad five minutes and a mistake that led to the first goal,” Noonan noted that there were more than enough opportunities, and [getting] into good spots in the box.” On why those opportunities were not converted, he said, “We just didn’t have enough, I think creativity or precision on some of the moments where we were able to get shots off.”
Noonan seemed eager to turn the page and look forward to an easier schedule. Given Robinson’s early exit and condition, Denkey’s struggle to contribute, and Evander’s continued integration into the offensive game plan, Noonan said the team was ready for “a small reset, to turn it around and try to find the right approach and confidence going into the next game.”
quick recap
FC Cincinnati at Charlotte FC
Date: March 15, 2025
Competition: MLS Regular Season
Venue: Bank of America Stadium | Charlotte, North Carolina
Attendance: 27,807
Kickoff: 7:40 p.m. ET
Weather: 68 degrees, cloudy
CLT – Liel Abada 48’, Patrick Agyemang (Biel, Malanda) 51’
CIN – None
LINEUPS
CIN: Roman Celentano, Lukas Engel (Corey Baird 81’), Gilberto Flores, Miles Robinson (C) (Teenage Hadebe 30’), DeAndre Yedlin, Pavel Bucha, Obinna Nwobodo (Gerardo Valenzuela 82’), Yuya Kubo (Sergio Santos 73’), Evander, Luca Orellano, Kévin Denkey
Substitutes not used: Evan Louro, Alvas Powell, Tah Brian Anunga
Head Coach: Pat Noonan
CLT: Kristijan Kahlina, Tim Ream, Andrew Privett, Adilson Malanda, Nathan Byrne, Brandt Bronico (Djibril Diani 78’), Ashley Westwood (C), Pep Biel (Idan Toklomati 85’), Wilfried Zaha, Liel Abada (Kerwin Vargas 72’), Patrick Agyemang (Eryk Williamson 85’)
Substitutes not used: David Bingham, Bill Tuiloma, Nicholas Scardina, Iuri Tavares, Nikola Petkovic
Head Coach: Dean Smith
discipline
CIN – Gilberto Flores (Yellow Card) 45’
CIN – Obinna Nwobodo (Yellow Card) 78’
CIN – Gilberto Flores (Second Yellow, Red Card) 83’
next match
MLS: vs. Atlanta United at TQL Stadium on Saturday, March 22 at 2:30p.m. ET; Apple TV+
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