CINCINNATI – FC Cincinnati dropped a 2-0 decision to the New England Revolution on Sunday night at Nippert Stadium, wrapping up a span of three games in nine days.
FC Cincinnati (5-15-2, 17 pts.) were denied by New England goalkeeper Matt Turner a total of seven times. The New England Revolution (8-8-6, 30 pts.) extended their unbeaten streak to 10 games after Carles Gil put them ahead in the first and Antonio Delamea extended the lead to 2-0 in the second half.
FC Cincinnati’s next game will come on Saturday, July 27 when FCC visit Toronto FC at BMO Field. The match will be televised locally on WSTR Star64, streamed regionally on FloFC, out of market on ESPN+ and carried on the radio on WDJO, while an audio stream will be available on the TuneIn app and fccincinnati.com. Tickets for the game are on sale to the general public at fccincinnati.com/tickets or by calling 513-977-5425 (KICK). Pick-Six mini plans, individual-game tickets and group options are on sale for all remaining games.
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.
New England Revolution 2, FC Cincinnati 0
Nippert Stadium | Cincinnati, Ohio
Sunday, July 21, 2019
SCORING SUMMARY
NE – Carles Gil (Gustavo Bou) 9’
NE – Antonio Mlinar Delamea (Carles Gil, Cristian Penilla) 55’
FC Cincinnati: Spencer Richey, Mathieu Deplagne (Justin Hoyte 33’), Kendall Waston ©, Nick Haggglund, Alvas Powell, Caleb Stanko, Frankie Amaya, Leonardo Bertone (Darren Mattocks 60’), Allan Cruz, Kekuta Manneh (Roland Lamah 78’), Fanendo Adi
Bench: Przemysław Tytoń, Victor Ulloa, Emmanuel Ledesma, Rashawn Dally
Stats: Shots 12, Shots on goal 7, Saves 5, Corner kicks 3, Offsides 5, Fouls 12, Possession 43.1%, Passes 358 (77.7%)
New England Revolution: Matt Turner, Andrew Farrell, Brandon Bye, Antonio Mlinar Delamea, Edgar Castillo, Wilfried Zahibo, Teal Bunbury, Diego Fagundez (Scott Caldwell 79’), Gustavo Bou (Juan Fernando Caicedo 69’), Carles Gil ©, Cristian Penilla
Bench: Tajon Buchanan, Justin Rennicks, Brad Knighton, Jalil Anibaba, DeJuan Jones,
Stats: Shots 7, Shots on goal 7, Saves 7, Corner kicks 6, Offsides 1, Fouls 15, Possession 56.9%, Passes 479 (83.7%)
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
CIN – Allan Cruz (caution) 54’
Referee: Kevin Stott
Assistant Referees: Corey Rockwell, Cory Richardson
4th Official: Greg Dopka
VAR: Ricardo Salazar
Weather: 82 degrees and sunny
Attendance: 25,095
HOW IT HAPPENED
- 7’ | Brandon Bye sent a low cross into the six-yard box, where Teal Bunbury got his foot on the ball, but his attempt to deflect the ball into the net went wide of the far post
- 9’ | NE GOAL -- From the edge of the 18-yard box, Carles Gil played Cristian Penilla into space on the left wing. After making the pass, Gil made a run into the penalty area, and collected a loose ball in the box, sending a right-footed shot beyond an outstretched Spencer Richey
- 41’ | Spencer Richey made a diving save up to his right to tip a dipping Teal Bunbury shot over the crossbar for a corner and deny a clear chance
- 56’ | NE GOAL -- Following a short corner, Cristian Penilla played a return pass to Carles Gil who sent a cross into the penalty area to Antonio Delamea. The Slovenian center back headed the ball past Richey to extend the visitors’ lead
- 57’ | Nick Hagglund played a ball to Alvas Powell who dribbled through the right-flank of the field. Powell cut a cross towards the penalty box, finding Frankie Amaya whose first-timed volley was parried away by Turner at the post.
- 65’ | New England broke on a counter attack after Penilla intercepted a ball in the center circle and played a through ball to Teal Bunbury who got in behind the FCC backline. Richey came off his line and got to Bunbury just as the forward took a shot, sending the ball behind the endline
- 66’ | Penilla beat Cincinnati’s backline by a lofted through ball. As he approached the goal, Penilla ripped a shot, but was denied by Richey as he stood his ground in the near post.
- 68’ | Powell played a dangerous through ball to Adi inside the 18-yard box. Adi’s touch on the ball got the ball on target, but Turner made the stop to keep FCC off the board
- 76’ | After Powell was fouled on the right flank of the field, Amaya stepped up to take the freekick. Amaya lofted a cross towards the penalty. Adi elevated himself over his mark and headed in a thunderous shot that was parried over the crossbar by Turner.
GAME NOTES
- With today’s loss, the Orange and Blue fall to 5-15-2 through 22 MLS matches … in addition, FC Cincinnati fall to 3-6-1 in home contests … FC Cincinnati’s all-time, all-competition record against New England Revolution sits at 1-1-0 … Cincinnati is now 3-8-1 against Eastern Conference opponents
- Fanendo Adi made his first MLS start since June 6 … the forward had made three consecutive substitute appearances prior to tonight’s contest … Adi played the full 90 minutes and finished with two shots, both on target
- Darren Mattocks made his 175th MLS appearance in tonight’s match … the forward trails only Eric Alexander for most MLS appearances (218) among FC Cincinnati players … it was Mattocks’ first appearance for the Orange and Blue since June 1 at Colorado … Mattocks missed four MLS matches while with Jamaica for the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup
- FC Cincinnati tied their single-match high with seven shots on goal … the Orange and Blue previously registered seven shots on goal against Portland on March 17 and against Houston on July 6
- Tonight’s match snapped FC Cincinnati’s four-match goal scoring streak … goals in four consecutive matches tied the previous mark, which the club set in its first four matches of the season
- Interim Head Coach Yoann Damet made three changes to the starting lineup from FC Cincinnati’s most recent match against D.C. United on July 18 …Nick Hagglund, Caleb Stanko and Fanendo Adi shifted into the starting lineup, while Emmanuel Ledesma, Rashawn Dally and Justin Hoyte were dropped … tonight’s lineup is FC Cincinnati’s 21st unique lineup of the season … the only two instances FCC have had the same starting XI was on March 10 and March 17
- Fatai Alashe (hamstring) and Greg Garza (calf) were unavailable for selection because of injury
POSTGAME QUOTES
FC Cincinnati Interim Head Coach Yoann Damet
Overall how the game went:
“Again, a frustrating game, probably one to put in the category of the majority of the games we have played. Not happy about the content, not happy about the energy or the intensity tonight so a frustrating night.”
On a frustrating game:
“I think in the first half we didn’t show up with the right energy. I think we were very, very low, and very, very deep, and not aggressive enough, allowing space and time on the ball. I think we let them play so we play on. We expect more from us, expect to play a bit more. We expect to be dictating the play more than that. I think in the second half we showed a lot of indiscipline on the attacking side but also on the defensive side. We created a bit more in the second half but it was unorganized. We gave up, again, a lot of space because of our stretch when we attacked.”
On New England’s high back line:
“It was more us, I would say, because we were able to play and we showed it again tonight, we were able to play at times. It was more our set up defensively that wasn’t good enough. Like in the first half we tried to play, again, but it was very difficult to find attacking players in between the two lines in the back. But, defensively it was the biggest problem for us - especially in the first half. We tried to adjust at halftime; we had a different formation. Unfortunately, we were too undisciplined to do it in the second half. We allowed too many counter attacks, we allowed too much space and we couldn’t get back in the game.”
On the short turn around and lineup decisions:
“That’s the third game in [nine] days so it has been a tough stretch for us, but we expect the players that start the game to show some energy. It’s for sure easier when you keep the same lineup, but that wasn’t possible after the game on Thursday. We had to bring some fresh legs on the field, make some changes. Not too many, but still. So I’m not sure that impacted the way we played tonight, I think it's more of a problem of the way we showed up tonight before the game. For sure there is fatigue, for sure the players are mentally and physically fatigued after a week like that but play on. We expect more from ourselves.”
On Substitutions:
“Mathieu (Deplagne) got injured very early in the game, so we had to make a sub. Justin (Hoyte) was the one, he played this season as a center back or as a full back in the formation so it was the easiest solution.”
FC Cincinnati Goalkeeper Spencer Richey
If the heat and midweek game against D.C. United played a part in tonight’s result
“Yeah, maybe. But I am pretty sure they had a midweek game as well. It’s hot for both teams, it is what is, you know? It’s a tough league to play in sometimes, on short rest, travel, heat, turf. Call it what you want, but like I said, they had a midweek game on turf and so did we, so I don’t think that is why we lost the game tonight.”
On the difference of the DC match compared to tonight’s match
“I thought throughout we just looked a little bit sluggish. Like I said, you could put it on the short week, the heat, whatever you want to call it, but overall, the mentality and the application wasn’t there for us tonight and we’ve got to have a bit more pride. Especially when you are going on one goal and at home. (The) supporters have been unbelievable. I mean 25,000 again tonight. You know it’s disappointing not to give them a better show.”
On the defense
“Yeah, I think a huge thing for us has been conceding first and conceding early in games. When you go down early then you typically have to open yourself up to try and equalize the game. I think that plays into teams’ hands. They can sit in and counter on us and try to get a second goal. So, first and foremost, I think that at least getting it to half as a tie or up 1-0. Conceding early has really been hurting us lately.”
On Matt Turner’s performance
“He was great for them. He had the double save that kept it at 2-0 and if we are able to get one in there at 2-1 then anything can happen at that point. I have been a fan of Turner’s, even when he had his breakout year - I think it was last year - and wasn’t playing much towards the (end of the) year. I rate him highly and he has been showing (Bruce) Arena that he is a quality goalkeeper and he made some big saves for them tonight.”
FC Cincinnati Forward Darren Mattocks
On his overall thoughts tonight
“Energy from the first. It wasn’t there. I was on the bench and the guys looked gassed. Like the first five, 10 minutes I saw guys were really tired. You know what I mean? I’m not sure if that’s the heat. I am not sure if that’s three games in a week, you know what I mean? We can’t find excuses and sometimes it’s like really tough to play three games in a week. Especially in this season. We still got a big game in Toronto. It’s a quick turnaround, but we definitely got to bring more this week and hopefully get a result in Toronto.”
On the frustration of coming back to the past few results
“It’s tough, but we’ve got to keep looking at the big picture. There’s still a chance we can sneak in the playoffs. All hope is not lost. It’s a longshot, but we’re still going to grind every single week. We’re going to work hard every single week, every single day to do what we do to salvage something this year. This is by no chance a lost cause for any guys in the locker room or coaching staff. We still believe we can get the job done. We just got to improve on what we did tonight for sure.”
On feelings getting back with the team
“Yeah, it feels really good (to be back). I miss these guys so much, and I’ve been gone for like six weeks. It’s really good to be around the guys again. I had a full week of practice this week. Definitely there’s way more that I can contribute to this team. I want to contribute much more…”
On if things changed since he was gone.
“I wouldn’t say much has changed. The guys got two great wins, in Houston and Chicago, and then two losses. If you look at that it’s six points from twelve. That’s not bad, and hopefully we can get some in Toronto this weekend. But we’ve got to look at tape, look at what went wrong and see what we can fix it.”
New England Revolution Head Coach Bruce Arena
On his reflections of the win
“Well naturally we are pleased with the three points, but I think we can play better and that’s the message I gave the team at the end of the game. The attacking third of the field today we were too sloppy, we had some advantages that could have helped create another goal or two. You know, we failed at that end of it, but the efforts there. We’re playing collectively, which is good to see and we’re getting better. We’re winning games on the road too which is very important. So I can’t complain, it was a good week for us, we got six points. We got to recover and give the players a couple days off and get back to work on Wednesday and get ready for Orlando.”
Importance in the timing of goals
“Certainly, the first goal of the game was critically important and then obviously starting the second half and getting that goal in the 55th minute. Big goal and then the third one was there and we didn’t seize the opportunity.”
On the goal from a set-piece
“That one was actually drawn up a little bit, so that was good to see.”
On Diego Fagundez’s performance
“He did well. He got tired at the end and hadn’t played many minutes for us lately. So, he did a real good job and I thought (Scott) Caldwell and (Juan Fernando) Caicedo coming in off the bench did a pretty good job as well.”
On Wilfried Zahibo’s performance
“Wilfried (Zahibo) been there for a number of games now and he is getting used to that. He has been pretty solid.”
New England Revolution Goalkeeper Matt Turner
On heading home with three points
“Yeah, it definitely wasn’t our best performance out there, but we found a way to score a couple goals and also keep them off the board, more importantly. So, we’re really more pleased that we got through, but we know that there’s a lot of room for improvement in the coming weeks.”
On areas to improve despite being unbeaten in 10 games
“Yeah, absolutely. We just need to continue to grow. That’s the message week in, week out, is just keep growing, keep building, and we’re trying to reach our group’s full potential.”
On the importance of timing of the goals scored
“Yeah, absolutely. I think the first 25 minutes of the game up until the hydration break, we were really out on the front foot. We could have had two or three. That was great and I think that really set the tone. I think we were a little flat coming out of the hydration break. Also, you know, in the past two games, we came out pretty flat in the second half, so our message at halftime and our little pre-second half huddle was to make sure we come out firing on all cylinders. So, we really did that in both halves and set the tone for the game.”
On Diego Fagundez’s performance
“Yeah, he really grinded and really worked hard tonight. I don’t think it was very comfortable for him at first, but he really grew into the game and he was finding key passes that were breaking lines, and he was doing a really good job for us. Also breaking plays up. I just have one very specific memory of him tracking Kekuta Manneh all the way back on a pretty dangerous counter attack, and making a really long sprint that put him off. So, that was huge for us and that’s the work that he’s been putting in and he will continue to put in.”
On his two saves after the second goal
“Yeah, (Alvas) Powell lofted across to, I don’t know, maybe about the penalty spot, and I knew that our defensive line was dropping pretty deep, so I just got back to my line and made sure I was set and ready to react for, I think it was Frankie Amaya’s shot, and he volleyed it and he got it pretty clean. I was able to turn it away and then, you know, I was the closest to the ball, so I had to go and make a play on it for the second one. You know, I always say that I’m just happy to be able to make an impact on the game at some level. I was pretty quiet on Wednesday night, so the timing of it was huge, and, you know what, I don’t really care about that. I’m just happy we got three points.”
