FC Cincinnati 2 came up short against New York Red Bulls II in a 2-0 loss Sunday night at Scudamore Field at NKU Soccer Stadium. FC Cincinnati 2 (5-9-4, 21 points) drop to 12th in the Eastern Conference standings while New York Red Bulls II (9-6-4, 33 points) pass Orlando City B moving up to fourth.
New York’s Ibrahim Kasule continued his strong run of form, scoring his ninth goal of the year in the 6th minute to give Red Bulls II a 1-0 lead. An aggressive Red Bulls II press forced the Orange and Blue into a turnover six yards out from goal and Kasule pounced on the loose ball, finishing past Walters in an easy one-on-one situation.
The Orange and Blue responded to Kasule’s goal with a dangerous opportunity in the 18th minute as Ben Stitz and Phil Horton, who made his first start for FC Cincinnati 2, combined through midfield to put Horton in on goal. Red Bulls II defender Jayden Reid brought Horton down on the breakaway and was sent off with a straight red.
FC Cincinnati 2 took control of the match following Reid’s sending off but were unable to find an opening first half goal to bring things level. Jesus Castellano created the Orange and Blue’s most dangerous chance after going up a man dancing through and around the New York defense, which led to Horton taking another chance that was inches off the mark.
Castellano and Horton paced the attack as FC Cincinnati finished the half with a 68.7 to 31.3 percent share of possession and outshot Red Bulls II six to three.
Despite a strong first-half from the Orange and Blue, it was Red Bulls II who found the second and final goal of the match in the 64th minute against the run of play. Frank Ssebufu scored his fifth of the season from close range after getting a foot on a low driven pass across the face of goal from Rafael Mosquera.
Horton clipped the post in the 88th minute while Salim Adams sent a shot off the crossbar in the second minute of stoppage time as the Orange and Blue looked to get back into the match late but were unable to get on the scoresheet.
FC Cincinnati 2 wrap up a three-match home stand next Saturday, July 29 against Eastern Conference leaders Crown Legacy FC at Scudamore Field at NKU Soccer Stadium at 6 p.m. ET. The match will also be streamed live on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV App.
FC CINCINNATI 2 GAME REPORT
FC Cincinnati 2 vs. New York Red Bulls II
Date: July 22, 2023
Venue: Scudamore Field at NKU Soccer Stadium
Competition: MLS NEXT Pro regular season
Kickoff: 6:03 p.m. ET
Weather: 82 degrees, clear
SCORING SUMMARY: 1-2-F
CIN: 0-0-0
NY: 1-1-2
CIN – None
NY – I. Kasule 6’, F. Ssebufu (R. Mosquera) 64’
LINEUPS
CIN: P. Walters, I. Foster, J. Machado, J. Akpunonu, K. Thomas (M. Schenfeld, 72’), B. Halsey (D. Garcia, 61’), S. Adams, D. Turcios, J. Castellano, P. Horton, B. Stitz
Substitutes not used: H. Morse, H. Conteh
Head Coach: Tyrone Marshall
NY: A. Marcucci, J. Gutierrez (R. Mosquera, 62’), J. Reid, O. Valencia, C. Berkley, A. Shapiro-Thompson (A. Jarvis, 86’), D. Sullivan, I. Kasule (M. Sofo, 86’), B. Estrela (E. Ruiz, 68’), O. Mullings (D. Alexandre, 62’), F. Ssebufu
Substitutes not used: W. Meyer, A. Recinos, Dija
Head Coach: Ibrahim Sekagya
STATS SUMMARY: CIN/NY
Shots: 12 / 5
Shots on goal: 2 / 5
Saves: 2 / 2
Corner Kicks: 2 / 0
Fouls: 15 / 11
Offside: 2 / 0
Possession: 71.9 / 28.1
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
NY – J. Reid (Red card) 18’
NY – F. Ssubufu (Yellow card) 21’
CIN – B. Stitz (Yellow card) 55’
CIN – B. Halsey (Yellow card) 58’
NY – B. Estrela (Yellow card) 58’
CIN – D. Turcios (Yellow card) 67’
OFFICIALS
Referee: Rebecca Pagan
Ast. Referees: Christopher Slane, Christian Little
Fourth Official: Jalen Gray
