Written by: Kyra Campbell
FC Cincinnati are moving on to the Round of 32 of the U.S. Open Cup after their 1-0 win over old rival Louisville City FC of the USL Championship on Wednesday.
As expected, FCC rolled out a much different starting lineup to the one that’s become their go-to for league play. Nick Hagglund was the only mainstay to make the start against the USL side. Alec Kann, Alvas Powell, and Dominique Badji all made their first starts of the season. Joey Akpunonu, Isaiah Foster, and 15-year-old Stiven Jimenez all made their first first-team appearances for the Orange and Blue.
It was a fairly back and forth match until the 60th minute, when Cincinnati started to bring on the reinforcements. The first two came in the form of Matt Miazga and Alvaro Barreal. Then, in the 76th minute, Luciano Acosta and Junior Moreno came on, and the momentum shifted markedly towards FCC. Cincinnati found its goal in the 85th minute, coming from Arquimides Ordonez, his first for the first-team. FCC saw the game out with a couple of more power subs, including Brandon Vazquez and Yuya Kubo, who returned to the pitch for the first time since the win over Seattle on March 11th.
FC Cincinnati will continue their run in the U.S. Open Cup on March 10th at 7pm, as they take on their Round of 32 opponent, NYCFC, at TQL Stadium. In the meantime, the club will turn its attention back to MLS league play, as they prepare for a battle for the top of the Eastern Conference against the New England Revolution (6-1-2) this Saturday in Foxborough at Gillette Stadium. Kickoff is at 7:30, and as always, fans can catch the match on the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.