Cover Image via FC Cincinnati
By Kyra Campbell
FC Cincinnati (19-5-8) fell 2-1 to the New York Red Bulls (9-13-10) Wednesday on what was otherwise a night full of celebration for the Orange and Blue after the club won the Supporters’ Shield.
With the #1 overall seed secured, FCC was able to roll out a rotated lineup to get some guys some much needed rest before the playoffs kick off.
Alec Kann got the start in goal. The defense was made up of Yerson Mosquera, Matt Miazga, and Nick Hagglund, with Ray Gaddis and Alvas Powell starting at wingback.
Marco Angulo, Obinna Nwobodo, and Yuya Kubo started in midfield. Dominique Badji and Aaron Boupendza started up top.
The Red Bulls, who find themselves on the wrong side of the playoff line, got on the board early in the 12th minute thanks to the former #1 overall draft pick for FCC, Frankie Amaya.
Elias Manoel doubled the lead for New York five minutes later in the 17th minute.
Gaddis picked up the first yellow card of the match in the 27th minute.
Two halftime substitutions of Ian Murphy for Miazga and Malik Pinto for Nwobodo made it seem as though FCC had accepted the defeat in exchange for some rest going into the playoffs.
Alvas Powell picked up his first yellow card of the match in the 49th minute.
In the 58th minute, however, Barreal came on for Gaddis and Luciano Acosta came on for Angulo, and immediately Cincinnati looked dangerous.
That would accumulate in a penalty being awarded to FCC in the 68th minute, after a Red Bull player committed a handball in the box. The clear penalty, however, was not originally given, which led to a New York goal that would be called back on VAR when it reversed the obvious missed call by referee Chris Penso. Lucho converted the penalty, netting his 16th goal of the season.
While the momentum had seemingly shifted in Cincinnati’s direction, the rest of the match was a tightly officiated affair, allowing the Red Bulls to time-waste to preserve their win.
Hagglund got a yellow card of his own in the 73rd minute, and then was subbed out in the 80th minute for Brandon Vazquez as FCC looked to salvage a draw.
Malik Pinto then picked up a yellow card in the 82nd minute. Alvas Powell got his second yellow card in the 88th minute, forcing Cincinnati to finish the game with 10 men.
Barreal and Acosta both received yellow cards in stoppage time.
The Supporters’ Shield celebration, where FCC lifted their first MLS trophy, could not be overshadowed by the 2-1 scoreline, however.
FC Cincinnati is back in action on Saturday when they take their last road trip of the regular season down to Florida to take on Inter Miami (9-16-6). The match is at 7:30 p.m. and, as always, fans can catch the action on the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+.