Cover Image via The Cincinnati Enquirer
Written by: Kyra Campbell
In a rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference Semifinals, FC Cincinnati (5-0-2) defeated the Philadelphia Union (2-4-1) 1-0 on Saturday at TQL Stadium to stay undefeated on the season through seven games. This victory kept Orange and Blue at the top of the Eastern Conference. And with St. Louis losing to Seattle this past weekend, FCC now sits atop the Supporter’s Shield standings with 17 points. TQL Stadium was sold out for the third time this season.
Cincinnati was once again without Obinna Nwobodo, who is still out with a hamstring injury, but did see right wing-back Santiago Arias return to the starting lineup for the first time since Matchday 1. They faced off against a rotated Union side, with Saturday’s match falling in between legs of Philadelphia’s matchup with Atlas in CONCACAF Champions League. FC Cincinnati dominated possession throughout the first half, but was unable to do much with it. A breakthrough finally came in the 69th minute with a converted Lucho Acosta penalty following some VAR confusion and a disallowed Brenner goal. Cincinnati was able to see the match out, securing its, and goalie’s Roman Celentano’s, 5th clean sheet of the season. Celentano’s 5th clean sheet, after just seven games, ties his total from all of last season. It also ties him for the club record of total clean sheets at 10.
FC Cincinnati is on the road next weekend to take on new expansion side St. Louis CITY SC (5-2-0) on Saturday at CITYPARK. Kickoff is at 8:30pm EST and, as always, fans can watch the match on the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.