FC Cincinnati Edges Monterrey in Five-Goal Thriller: Monterrey 2-3 FC Cincinnati

Alonso Contreras
Aug 1
2 min read

By Alonso Contreras

First Half: End-to-End Action Sets the Tone

It was the visitors who struck first in the 31st minute. Evander da Silva Ferreira finished off a well-orchestrated attack with a curling shot into the top left corner, giving Cincinnati a 1–0 lead. Monterrey responded just before the break. In the 45th minute, Sergio Canales picked up a pass from Stefan Medina and rifled in a low strike from outside the box to equalize, 1–1.

By halftime, both sides had already demonstrated their attacking firepower and intent, with Cincinnati pressing in transition and Monterrey dominating possession in the final third.

Second Half: Cincinnati Turns the Tide

The second half opened with another aggressive surge from Cincinnati. In the 53rd minute, Evander once again played creator, this time feeding Luca Orellano in the box. Orellano took a touch and calmly slotted the ball past Luis Cárdenas to restore the visitors’ lead, 2–1.

Monterrey came inches from responding almost immediately, as Sergio Canales rattled the post with a long-range strike in the 50th. Érick Aguirre and Lucas Ocampos both tested Cincinnati’s keeper Evan Louro, but the defense stood firm, with key blocks from Matt Miazga and Teenage Hadebe.

Late Drama: Bucha and Berterame Trade Blows

In the 90th minute, FC Cincinnati appeared to seal the match. Evander, again pulling the strings, laid it off to Pavel Bucha, who smashed a low shot into the far corner to make it 3–1.

But Monterrey wouldn’t go down quietly. Three minutes into stoppage time, Sergio Ramos had a header saved, and moments later, Lucas Ocampos had a close-range shot blocked. Then, in the 90+4 minute, Germán Berterame connected with a Joaquin Moxica cross, heading home to bring it back to 3–2.

Sergio Ramos had one final chance in the 90+7 minute, but his header sailed over the bar, and the referee’s whistle signaled the end of a breathless night.

Key Performers:

Evander (FC Cincinnati): 1 goal, 2 assists — the Brazilian maestro dictated tempo and was directly involved in all three goals.
Evan Louro (FC Cincinnati): The Cincinnati goalkeeper made crucial saves, including efforts from Ramos, Ocampos, and Aguirre.
Sergio Canales (Monterrey): The veteran midfielder was Monterrey’s creative hub and scored a brilliant equalizer before the half.