CHARLESTON, S.C. – FC Cincinnati defeated the Charleston Battery, 2-1, tonight at MUSC Health Stadium. Forwards Fanendo Adi and Darren Mattocks recorded the goals for the Orange and Blue. The match was FC Cincinnati’s first match in the 2019 Carolina Challenge Cup and the club’s fifth preseason game of the 2019 Major League Soccer Preseason presented by Advocare.
FC Cincinnati registered its fastest goal of preseason when Fanendo Adi put the Orange and Blue in front. Alvas Powell played a through ball to Mattocks at the right side of the 18-yard box. Mattocks played a cross in for Adi, who buried a rebound attempt off Charleston goalkeeper Jake Kuzminsky to give FCC the early lead.
Following a Nick Hagglund handball in the penalty area, Charleston’s Ian Svantesson registered the equalizer from the ensuing penalty attempt in the 54th minute.
Just minutes later, the Orange and Blue secured a penalty of their own after Fanendo Adi was fouled inside the 18-yard box. Mattocks stepped up to the spot and converted his attempt to give FC Cincinnati the club’s eventual game-winning goal.
FC Cincinnati will return to MUSC Health Stadium for their second match of the 2019 Carolina Challenge Cup when they play the Chicago Fire at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 20.
FC Cincinnati’s debut MLS game will be at Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday, March 2, at CenturyLink Field. The Orange and Blue will make their home debut as an MLS team at Nippert Stadium on Sunday, March 17, when the team hosts MLS Cup finalist Portland Timbers at 5 p.m. Season tickets, mini plans and individual-game tickets are on sale at fccincinnati.com/tickets or by calling 513-977-5425 (KICK).
For up-to-the-minute information about FC Cincinnati, visit the team’s official website at fccincinnati.com, or follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @FCCincinnati. For more information about FC Cincinnati tickets, call 513-977-KICK (5425) or visit fccincinnati.com/tickets.
MLS Preseason
FC Cincinnati 2, Charleston Battery 1
MUSC Health Stadium | Charleston, S.C.
Saturday, February 16, 2019
SCORING SUMMARY
CIN – Fanendo Adi (Darren Mattocks) 2’
CHS – Ian Svantesson (penalty) 54’
CIN – Darren Mattocks (penalty) 57’
FC Cincinnati (First Half): Przemysław Tytoń, Nick Hagglund, Mathieu Deplagne, Forrest Lasso, Alvas Powell, Victor Ulloa, Leonardo Bertone, Justin Hoyte, Darren Mattocks, Fanendo Adi ©, Roland Lamah
FC Cincinnati (Second Half): Przemysław Tytoń, Nick Hagglund (Hassan Ndam 74’), Mathieu Deplagne, Forrest Lasso (Caleb Stanko 74’), Alvas Powell (Frankie Amaya 74’), Victor Ulloa, Leonardo Bertone (Allan Cruz 74’), Justin Hoyte (Blake Smith 74’), Darren Mattocks (Nazmi Albadawi 74’), Fanendo Adi (Emmanuel Ledesma 74’), Roland Lamah (Corben Bone © 74’)
Bench: Spencer Richey, Jimmy Hague
Charleston Battery (First Half): Joe Kuzminsky, Jay Bolt, Taylor Mueller, Leland Archer, Jarad Van Schaik, Angelo Kelly, Tah Brian Anunga, Nico Rittmeyer, Romario Piggot, Zeiko Lewis, Ian Svantesson
Charleston Battery (Second Half): Robert Beebe, Devon Amoo, Taylor Mueller (Kyle Nelson 63’), AJ Patterson, O’Brian Woodbine, Nico Rittmeyer (Keane Mc Ivor 76’), Keiron Mason, Vincenzo Candela, Dante Marini, Zeiko Lewis (Daley 68’), Ian Svantesson (Kenny Doublett 63’)
Bench: Phillip Breno, Ataulla Guerra, Ryan Sullivan, Monday Etim, Mariono Vivich
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
None
Weather: 62 degrees and cloudy
GAME NOTES
- Tonight’s contest marked FC Cincinnati’s first-ever appearance in the Carolina Challenge Cup … the 2019 Carolina Challenge Cup is the 15th instalment of the tournament since its creation in 2004
- Fanendo Adi recorded his first goal of preseason … he scored in the second minute of tonight’s contest, marking the earliest goal FC Cincinnati has scored this preseason
- Darren Mattocks extended his lead as FC Cincinnati’s leading goalscorer this preseason … Mattocks has scored in three of the four matches in which he has played … his goal was FC Cincinnati’s first goal from the penalty spot of preseason
- Tonight’s match was FCC’s second multi-goal performance of preseason … The Orange and Blue scored twice against Indy Eleven on Feb. 12
- Przemysław Tytoń, Mathieu Deplagne and Victor Ulloa were the only players to log 90 minutes of action
- The Orange and Blue utilized a 3-4-3 formation for a second straight match
- Fanendo Adi wore the captain’s armband while on the pitch … after Adi exited the match, Corben Bone took over as captain for the remainder of the second half
FCC Head Coach Alan Koch
On tonight’s performance
“I think we had some very good moments. I think we showed that when we are calm in possession, when we take care of the ball, that we can be a very, very good team. I also think we had some good transitioning moments, going to the goal. I felt like we created quite a few chances. I think out of possession we are disconnected at times. So yeah, good moments and then some tough moments, too. And give Charleston credit. They’re a very, very good team. We have been playing against them for years and you can always tell it will be an absolute battle against them. I think it was a very good exercise.”
FCC Forward Fanendo Adi
On if he is surprised about the multitude of ways FCC is scoring
“Not really surprised, because I know we got good guys. We’ve got defenders and for us, set pieces are going to be very vital in games for us when we go into the league. So, to see the defenders are scoring, wingers and strikers scoring is very important for the entire team. The whole team is not just depending on one guy just to score a goal, but anybody can step up and get a goal so it is important for the team.
FCC Defender Forrest Lasso
On tonight’s match and returning to a familiar venue in Charleston
“It was awesome, it was pretty special seeing some old faces. The fans, the community. This place is like a second home to me so as soon as we stepped out there, it really touched, it hit home … we got the result, at the end of the day that’s kind of the most important thing after 90 minutes. If you watched the game, you could honestly tell that we have a lot of things to work on, but that’s the glories of preseason, you kind of take it one day at a time. We keep working and keep building together. It’s not going to be perfect, it might never will be, frankly, but that’s the glories of football, you keep getting better each day.”
