Decision Day always promises ups and downs. But for FC Cincinnati, it was steady cruising against CF Montreal. The Orange and Blue were able to end the regular season with a 3-0 win.
World Class Header
The match started with a comfortable pace. Neither team held the clear advantage, but FCC was getting better looks. It culminated in a 34th minute corner kick. Evander hobbled over to deliver the kick clearly bothered by contact a few plays prior. Evander’s service was well place and defender Nick Hagglund was able to get a head on it and redirect it. The placement of Hagglund’s header was magical. Arching over Thomas Gillier into the upper 90. It was a goal with so much class you would not be remiss to forget that Hagglund had gone two years between goals.
Montreal Penalty
Montreal had an opportunity to bring the match level in added time of the first half. Prince Owusu’s step was a bit too pure for Hagglund as he entered the box. Beat, Hagglund was forced to make heavy contact with Owusu. Match Official Timothy Ford saw enough contact to award a penalty kick to Montreal. Owusu stepped over the ball and measured up Roman Celentano defending the frame. Owusu’s low attempt missed its mark crashing into the right post. FCC would hold its advantage heading into the locker room.
For The Record Books
In the second half FCC history was made. In what was a seemingly innocent attacking phase for FCC, Evander made a diagonal cut back across goal. Evander’s shot attempt appeared to be lacking pace and ferocity the MVP candidate typically produces, but it stayed true. Gillier was caught off guard by the direction of the shot and by the time it had tucked into the near post, Gillier could only helplessly witness history. Evander’s goal marked his 22nd goal in all competitions. This surpasses 2023 MLS MVP Luciano Acosta’s 21 goal record for FCC. The goal also put Evander’s MLS regular season total, 18 goals, on par with Brenner and Brandon Vazquez’s record, both of which were set in 2022.
Brenner Bags Another
The match left room for one more display of elite skill. In the 88th minute, Brenner was checked by Montreal defender in the midfield. Unimpeded, Brenner turned on the after burns and out paced two Montreal defenders from a recovery position. Brenner got on the ball a took a few touches before ripping a shot to the far post. Gillier kicked out his leg to make the save but the defection wasn’t enough to usher the ball away from frame. In Brenner’s six matches on loan back at FCC, he has bagged four goals.
Reflections
The final whistle sounded and the Orange and Blue secured 2nd place in the MLS, despite Inter Miami’s performance elsewhere.
“A good end to the (regular) season.” Pat Noonan said post match. “Nice to win in front of these fans and send them off in a good way as far as regular season play and hoping to carry that over into the playoffs. But I was pleased with how the guys got through a challenging first half and some frustration, as far as some thoughts at halftime and guys that came in did an excellent job. We’re clearly thin with some of the absences, but it shows the depth that we have with this group for having that many absences and to have so many guys step in and still perform and still have the confidence to know we’re a strong team is certainly something to appreciate. That speaks to the work that was done in the winter and then in the summer to strengthen this group. Chris (Albright) and his guys did an excellent job, and that played out in a very important way to hold on to this 2-seed.”
Forecasts
FCC having captured the Eastern Conference’s two seed in the MLS Playoffs, they will be paired with the seven seeded Columbus Crew. This will mark the second time Hell is Real has made an appearance in the Cup. The Orange and Blue will look to even the record avenging the 2023 Eastern Conference Final. The best of three series with start in TQL Stadium with a date and time to be determined. Follow @cincysoccertalk on socials for exact times of first round matches.
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