It was a completely rotated starting XI that took the pitch for FC Cincinnati on Wednesday night in the home leg of their first round matchup against Dominican side O&M FC. The Orange and Blue came into the match with a 4-0 lead on aggregate from last week’s contest, and followed it up with an even more commanding performance.
FIRST HALF:
Despite the eventually gaudy score line, the opening quarter hour of the match passed quietly. In line with expectations, FCC controlled the lion share of the possession. However it wasn’t far past the 15 minute mark that the hosts drew first blood.
Following a semi-sustained attacking sequence, Obinna Nwobodo lofted a pass in over the O&M backline with Kenji Mboma Dem applying a clinical touch to position himself well for the opening goal. Coming in the 18th minute, this effort opened a 17 minute window in which FCC would score three additional times.
Dado Valenzuela followed Kenji in the 27th minute, tapping in from close range courtesy of Obinna Nwobodo. The third goal of the first half came in the 33rd minute, off a FCC corner and was originally credited to Cincinnati native Kyle Smith, but after review, was changed to an own-goal charged to O&M’s Gabriel Castillo. The fourth and final scoring effort of the first half came just two minutes later, when Brian Anunga played a smooth through ball to a sprinting Tom Barlow, who coolly slotted a shot to the bottom right corner.
Wednesday night marked the 7th time in club history that FCC has scored 4 goals in a half, and the first time they have done so since August 5th, 2024 against NYCFC in Leagues Cup play.
SECOND HALF:
Manager Pat Noonan made only a pair of changes coming out of the intermission, pulling Dado Valenzuela for Ademar Chavez and Tom Barlow for Stefan Chirila.
Despite the break, The Orange and Blue didn’t waste time before returning to their scoring ways. Just three minutes into the second half, newly subbed on Ademar Chavez found himself on the end of a Mboma Dem cross, delivering a clinical thumper past the keeper. With that effort Chavez enters the FCC record books as the youngest player to ever score for the team at 17 years, 44 days old. (The previous mark being held by Andres Davila at 18 years, 187 days).
The remainder of the second half saw FCC add on an additional four goals, for a eye popping total of nine on the evening. Along the path to that final number there was some notable firsts and some history made.
In the 58th minute Kenji Mboma Dem secured his brace for the night, cutting into the attacking third courtesy of a pass from Stiven Jimenez and kissing the ball into the net off the near post.
In the 68th minute Stiven Jimenez did well to find himself in open space near the penalty spot and Obinna Nwobodo found him for Jimenez’s first goal of his FCC career and Obi’s third assist of the evening.
In the 78th minute Ayoub Lajhar made a crafty run down the wing before whipping a cross towards the back post, where Captain Alvas Powell thumped a header into the back of the net.
In the 86th minute Lajhar made his second assist of the evening, finding Stefan Chirila who dribbled his way into the box before roofing his effort past the keeper.
HISTORY IN THE MAKING
The final score line of 9-0 sets a new club record for goals scored in a match, margin of victory, and goal contributions (16). Additionally, the five second half goals matches the club record for goals in a half.
Three players scored their first career goals, all of whom are Academy graduates. (Ademar Chavez, Stiven Jimenez, and Stefan Chirila)
Obinna Nwobodo’s three assists on the night matches the club record for a single match, collectively held by Luciano Acosta, Brandon Vasquez, and Evander. This puts Obi at five assists so far in the competition, surpassing LAFC’s Son Heung-Min for the lead in assists and setting a club record for all-time assists in the Champions Cup.
Alvas Powell, making his 145th appearance for the club over the past six seasons, was named Captain for the first time on Wednesday night. He is the 16th player to be named a Captain in club history.
LOOKING FORWARD
FC Cincinnati now finds themselves on a crash course with their kryptonite from last year’s Champions Cup run, as they will meet Liga MX side Tigres in the next round of play. The first leg of that tie will be played on March 12th.
Before they get there however, The Orange and Blue have two league matches to focus on. This Saturday they will travel to Allianz Field to take on the Loons of Minnesota United. Additionally they will host Toronto FC on March 8th at TQL Stadium for Sunday Night Soccer.
QUICK RECAP
FC CINCINNATI GAME REPORT
FC Cincinnati vs O&M FC
Date: February 25, 2026
Competition: Concacaf Champions Cup – Round One, Second Leg
Venue: TQL Stadium | Cincinnati, Ohio
Attendance: 11,114
Kickoff: 7:06 p.m. ET
Weather: 42 degrees, cloudy
SCORING SUMMARY: 1-2-FT
CIN: 4-5-9
OYM: 0-0-0
CIN – Kenji Mboma Dem (Nwobodo) 18’, Gerardo Valenzuela (Nwobodo) 27’, Own Goal – Gabriel Castillo 33’, Tom Barlow (Anunga) 35’, Ademar Chávez (Mboma Dem) 48’, Kenji Mboma Dem (Jimenez) 58’, Stiven Jimenez (Nwobodo) 68’, Alvas Powell (Lajhar) 78’, Stefan Chirila (Lajhar) 86’
OYM – None
LINEUPS
CIN: Evan Louro, Kenji Mboma Dem (Ayoub Lajhar 69’), Andrei Chirila, Gilberto Flores, Kyle Smith, Alvas Powell (C), Stiven Jimenez, Tah Brian Anunga (Pavel Bucha 69’), Obinna Nwobodo (Samuel Gidi 83’), Gerardo Valenzuela (Ademar Chávez 46’), Tom Barlow (Stefan Chirila 46’)
Substitutes not used: Roman Celentano, Bryan Dowd, Kévin Denkey, Nick Hagglund, Teenage Hadebe, Ayoub Jababri
Head Coach: Pat Noonan
OYM: Iraitz Gelbentzu (Gerald Villar 76’), Angel Melo (C), Julen Olasagasti, Jon Trincado, Emmanuel Cuello (Sergio Abreu 76’), Josue Baez, Isaac Baez (Hector Ramirez 46’), Julen Manterola, Reyvin De La Rosa (Ricardo Sanchez 76’), Anyelo Gomez, Gabriel Castillo
Substitutes not used: Omry Bello, Alexander Romero, Simon Cuello, Sergio Paredes, Jose Matos
Head Coach: Jose Aparicio
STATS SUMMARY: CIN/OYM
Shots: 25 / 6
Shots on Goal: 13 / 1
Saves: 1 / 5
Corner Kicks: 5 / 2
Fouls: 11 / 4
Offside: 3 / 3
Possession: 58 / 42
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
OYM – Hector Ramirez (Red Card) 82’
OYM – Sergio Abreu (Yellow Card) 83’
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