FC Cincinnati welcomed Chicago Fire into TQL Stadium on Saturday night for a match that was hoped to be a stepping stone from their 1-1 draw at Toronto last weekend. While the majority of the match saw The Orange and Blue trailing, a late second half comeback saw the points split at the end of the night.
FIRST HALF
The opening ten minutes of the match saw Chicago control the big chances, as both Maren Haile-Selassie and Hugo Cuypers had good looks. Both were turned away by Roman Celentano, and his work allowed FCC to grow into the match a bit. The first big chance for the hosts came in the 15th minute, when a stellar over-the-top pass resulted in a corner. Evander provided the service and while the ball seemed to have eyes for goal, a stellar falling kick-save from Chris Brady turned the effort away. The next ten minutes saw two additional corners for FCC, both of which were turned away by Brady.
Despite the growing pressure from FCC, it was Chicago that opened the scoring in this one in the 26th minute. A turnover resulted in a quick transition oppurtunity for Chicago, with Philip Zinckernagel providing a cross for Hugo Cuypers, who volleyed home the effort. It was Cuyper’s fifth goal of the MLS campaign.
Now trailing, the FCC attack dialed up the pressure. The elevated intensity would finally pay off in the 42nd minute, when a scorching effort from Bryan Ramirez was spilt by Chris Brady. Former Chicago man Tom Barlow pounced on the loose ball, leveling the scoreline at 1-1. It was his first goal versus his former side since departing for Cincinnati in January.
The first half wouldn’t end without further drama however. Deep into stoppage time, a foul committed by Samuel Gidi near the mouth of the goal gave Zinckernagel a chance from the spot. He converted into the left corner past Roman, sending the visitors into the locker room with a 2-1 advantage.
SECOND HALF
The Orange and Blue made a single change coming out for the second half, as Gilberto Flores made way for Teenage Hadebe.
The momentum that FCC ceded in the penalty sequence at the end of the first half only continued to swing as Chicago picked up their third goal of the evening just three minutes into the second half. An initial effort went careening off Miles Robinson with Hugo Cuypers settling under it and volleying first time past Roman for a brace on the evening.
The following 30 minutes took on a stale feel. With a gaudy two goal deficit sitting before them, FCC’s chances felt paltry in comparison to the situation. However, their recent penchant for late-game drama reared it’s head again. After coming on as a substitute in the 69th minute, Dado Valenzuela drew a foul in the penalty box. With Kevin Denkey absent from tonight’s affair, it was Evander who stepped up to take the spot-kick. The Brazilian stepped forward and chipped the ball over the outstretched hands of Chris Brady, bringing the hosts within one. Pat Noonan spoke on Evander’s first goal of the season after the match, “When you’re pushing, pushing, pushing, and now there are more expectations to finish a play from the penalty spot. I was happy to see the first one go in…”
With some spark rekindled in TQL, the Orange and Blue pushed forward for a equalizer. Just seven minutes later, on the doorstep of the 90 minute mark, a Evander freekick took an opportune deflection off the shin of Dje D’Avilla, sneaking it’s way into the net.
This equalizer saw The Bailey return to full voice, urging their side on for a winner. Despite a gaudy 10 minutes of stoppage time, a winner was not to be found from either side.
POSTGAME
Following the match, manager Pat Noonan spoke on the events of the evening: “An entertaining affair. But we find ourselves in too many holes that we try to dig ourselves out of and too big a hole, I guess, to climb out of to get the win. But the fight is good.”
With another league fixture looming on Wednesday against NYCFC, he also emphasized the importance on remaining focused on the short-term: “The break starts May 23. What is it? April 18. There can’t even be a thought about a break. We have New York on Wednesday, so that’s our thought.”
QUICK RECAP
SCORING SUMMARY: 1-2-FT
CIN: 1-2-3
CHI: 2-1-3
CIN – Tom Barlow 42’, Evander (PK) 79’, Dje D’Avilla (OG) 86’
CHI – Hugo Cuypers (Zinckernagel) 26’, Philip Zinckernagel (PK) 45’+5, Hugo Cuypers 48’
LINEUPS
CIN: Roman Celentano, Gilberto Flores (Teenage Hadebe 46’), Nick Hagglund, Miles Robinson (C) (Alvas Powell 64’), Samuel Gidi, Pavel Bucha, Tom Barlow (Ayoub Jabbari 70’), Kenji Mboma Dem (Kyle Smith 85’), Evander, Bryan Ramírez, Ender Echenique (Gerardo Valenzuela 70’)
Substitutes not used: Evan Louro, Brian Anunga
Head Coach: Pat Noonan
CHI: Chris Brady, Jack Elliott (C), Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Andrew Gutman, Johnny Dean (Dylan Borso 83’), Anton Salétros, Robin Lod (Puso Dithejane 83’), Dje D’Avilla, Maren Haile-Selassie (Viktor Radojević 90’+4), Hugo Cuypers, Philip Zinckernagel (Joel Waterman 73’)
Substitutes not used: Jason Shokalook, Mauricio Pineda, David Poreba, Sergio Oregel Jr., Josh Cohen
Head Coach: Gregg Berhalter
STATS SUMMARY: CIN/CHI
Shots: 23 / 18
Shots on Goal: 10/ 6
Saves: 3 / 8
Corner Kicks: 9/1
Fouls: 11 / 9
Offside: 1 / 0
Possession: 52.7 /46.1
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
CIN – Samuel Gidi (Yellow Card) 7’
CIN – Tom Barlow (Yellow Card) 11’
CIN – Bryan Ramírez (Yellow Card) 90’
CIN – Pavel Bucha (Yellow Card) 90’
CHI – Dylan Borso (Yellow Card) 90’
CHI – Jack Elliott (Yellow Card) 90’+9
CHI – Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Yellow Card) 90’+9
NEXT MATCH
MLS Regular Season: @ NYCFC, April 22nd at 7:30 PM, Yankee Stadium, New York City, Apple TV
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