The rivalry of Hell Is Real was on full display these past two weeks. With both teams splitting a win at home, game 3 Saturday night was going to be incredible. And it lived up to the billing as FC Cincy defeated their older MLS Ohio squad, 2-1. Late summer addition Brazilian Brenner Souza netted a brace to send Cincinnati to the semifinals and a match with Miami.
The Crew sees their season end and bid farewell to Darlington Nagbe, their long-time midfielder who retired after the match. Diego Rossi had a golden chance to tie up the match in stoppage time but sent his left footed shot from the middle of the box just high and to FCC’s goalie Roman Celentano’s right.
Thanks to some incredible saves by the FCC netminder and constant outside speed from Ender Enchenique and later, substitute Luca Orellano, Cincinnati was able to overcome their abysmal performance last Sunday in their 4-0 loss to Columbus and move on. Defensively they had to endure nine minutes of intense stoppage time and watch as The Crew sent shot after shot towards the net looking for an equalizer.
From FC Cincinnati’s Social Media page. Brenner after goal #1.
Three key moments NOT goal scoring
- Pat Noonan decided to replace Kevin Denkey with Ayoub Jabbari in the 76th minute. Jabbari has some amazing speed up front and his height helped win a ball that ultimately turned into the winning goal.
- Roman Celentano received a US Men’s national Team call up earlier in the week and his performance Saturday night was worthy of it. He made saves that were top class especially in the late moments of the match. He won the MLS Save of the Year…and his efforts last night were sublime!
- Brenner looked like he was going to be subbed off in the 2nd half. From FCC Head coach Pat Noonan (From mlssoccer.com):
“There’s a period where he came over to the sideline and was asking what the change was going to be, if any, structurally, and who was coming off. And I said it was him…And he gave me a look like, please tell me you’re joking.
“He said, ‘I’m going to score another goal.’ So he held up his end of the bargain on that one.”
Sometimes the best moves are the ones NOT taken.
From FCC’s webpage.
Next Game
Inter Miami will travel to the Queen City either November 22nd or 23rd. MLS will be on the international break until then. The time and date will be determined when the final first round games are completed.
MLS breaks down the showdown.
Tickets went on sale this morning at 10am. Interested? Here’s the link on SeatGeek.
Who to Follow on Social for FCC?
Here are great people or organizations to follow for your FCC news. All links are for X.
Laurel has covered FCC and the Bengals via QueenCity Press and the Dayton Daily news.
Carter is the club’s staff writer and reporter.
CincySoccerTalk is a great podcast to listen to.
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