Misfit the Best Fit for FC Cincinnati in Win over RBNY
- Kenta Hagiwara
- 3 minutes ago
- 4 min read
CINCINNATI, OH - FC Cincinnati win their find their form, winning at home against Red Bull New York.
FC Cincinnati came into Saturday's match against Red Bull New York on a four-match winless streak dating back to March 22nd against CF MontrƩal, down five center back options after conceding 12 goals during that winless run.
Was the spirit of one Yuya Kubo in Cincinnati on Saturday? It certainly felt that way.
Cincinnati's Asianati group held the first day of their annual Asian Food Fest just blocks away from TQL Stadium - a fitting backdrop for a night defined by versatility.
Yuya Kubo, of course, was well known for his positional versatility, being dubbed the "Swiss-Army knife" of the roster during his time with the team.
Positional versatility was key in Cincinnati's victory on Saturday.
Back to the center back options that were unavailable for FC Cincinnati on Saturday. World Cup hopeful for the US Men's National Team Miles Robinson, former Chelsea defender Matt Miazga, Zimbabwe international Teenage Hadebe, and former MLS Cup Champions Nick Hagglund and Alvas Powell were all leg injuries.
Cincinnati ran out a back three of Cincinnati native and fullback Kyle Smith, 17-year-old FC Cincinnati academy product Andrei Chirila (making his first MLS start), and defensive midfielder Samuel Gidi. The trio recorded the club's first MLS clean sheet since matchday one - an identical 2-0 scoreline win at home against Atlanta United.
That's not all.
FC Cincinnati homegrown midfielder Gerardo "Dado" Valenzuela, who's played most of his time in Cincinnati as an attacking midfielder or second striker played as a deep-lying midfielder in a double pivot with MLS veteran Brian Anunga. Czechia international midfielder Pavel Bucha, who's played this season as a box-to-box no. 8 played as the right wing-back in Pat Noonan's system.
FC Cincinnati played their best first half of any MLS match this season. After having to come back from behind on multiple occasions in the last few matches, including being down 4-2 to New York City FC before second-half stoppage time just on Wednesday, playing on the front foot at home proved pivotal in their win.
Over 60% possession and 13 shots by FC Cincinnati to RBNY's 4 shots in the first half led to KĆ©vin Denkey's brace, scoring from open play in the 40th minute and from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time - a penalty drawn by FC Cincinnati captain Evander.
The second half saw the visitors control the tempo a bit more, including the introduction of former Leipzig star Emil Forsberg in the 62nd minute. It was a flip of the script, with the Red Bulls holding nearly 70% possession and outshooting Cincinnati 15 to 2. That forced five saves in the second half from Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano, who got his first clean sheet since the first-leg Concacaf Champions Cup win over Tigres UANL.
"Feels like about time, you know?" Celentano said after the match. "It hasn't been the best defensive start to the season."
At the core of Cincinnati's win was 17-year-old defender Andrei Chirila. Chirila signed a homegrown contract with the club in early April after making his MLS debut in a difficult 6-1 loss in Foxborough against the New England Revolution.
This week, Chirila came on as a substitute on Wednesday against NYCFC at halftime for an injured Alvas Powell, who had come on for an injured Teenage Hadebe in the first half. Chirila went on to score the first of two second half stoppage time goals to steal a point at Yankee Stadium - a sensational 0.02 xG shot from 30+ yards out.
With the injury bug in the center back group, Chirila earned his second career MLS start and did not disappoint. Seven defensive contributions, five clearances, an impressive 6/14 on accurate long balls in a clean sheet victory for FC Cincinnati.
Luckily for Chirila, he had the support of veteran MLS centerbacks, receiving advice and confidence leading into Saturday's match.
"Nick Hagglund, Matt Miazga, all those players with crazy experience, they all came to me, they said, 'just be you, do your thing, be confident, stay calm.' I'm really grateful to have them because it's honestly a pleasure to be able to have someone to encourage you like that befroe the game and build your confidence up." -Andrei Chirila
Lineups:
FC Cincinnati (3-4-1-2): 18 Celentano; 24 Smith (3 Flores 89'), 88 Chirila, 11 Gidi; 20 Bucha (66 Echenique 61'), 22 Valenzuela, 27 Anunga, 29 RamĆrez (55 Lajhar 79'); 10 Evander (C); 17 Mboma Dem (16 Barlow 61'), 9 Denkey (99 Jabbari 79')
Head Coach: Pat Noonan
Unused Substitutes: 13 Louro, 93 Mrozek, 19 Chirila, 37 Jimenez
Red Bull New York (4-3-3): 34 Horvath; 3 Marshall-Rutty, 12 Nealis (C), 26 Parker, 23 Bungi (56 Dos Santos 46'); 48 Donkor (39 Benedetti 85'), 15 Mehmeti, 4 Berggren (10 Forsberg 62'); 7 Cowell (79 Mosquera 73'), 16 Hall, 37 Sofo (11 Ruvalcaba 62')
Head Coach: Michael Bradley
Unused Substitutes: 77 McCarthy, 6 Voloder, 20 Mina
*Julian Hall started in place of Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who did not play due to illness.
Scoring Summary:
40' FC Cincinnati - KĆ©vin Denkey (Assist: Pavel Bucha)
45'+5' FC Cincinnati - KĆ©vin Denkey (PK)
Disciplinary Summary:
19' Yellow Card, Red Bull New York - Joyeux Masanka Bungi
31' Yellow Card, FC Cincinnati - Bryan RamĆrez
78' Yellow Card, Red Bull New York - Adri Mehmeti
