120' FULL TIME
After 120 minutes of play, FC Cincinnati tally four unanswered goals and walk away from this one with a 4-1 victory over Philadelphia Union.
Bucha, Nwobodo, Halsey, Mboma Dem.
We will be back over the weekend with more coverage but FC Cincinnati improve to 2-1-0 this preseasom. Until next time, I'm Carter Chapley, come Visit St. Pete/Clearwater and I'll see you next time!
115' FC CINCINNATI GOAL
Andrei Chirila picks out a PERFECTLY weighted pass forward for Kenji Mbomba Dem, splitting the space between the back line and the keeper where the Dayton Flyer alum was able to dribble around the keeper and tap a goal past Philly keeper Oliver Semmle.
It's the second time these two have connect for a goal this preseason, but this time they swap roles. It is now 4-1 as things begin to wind down to a final. Excellent pass, excellent goal.
107'
Coming on now for FCC is Ademar Chavez, an attacking midfielder an one of 2 members of the FC Cincinnati Academy with the club at preseason. He comes on for Stefan Chirila, who came on seconds before the first 45 minute break. So a solid shift for the youngster.
Chavez, 16, currently plays with the U16 squad in the Academy.
104'
Best chance of the final period comes for FCC as Stefan Chirila runs onto a loose ball, wins the touch and holds up play long enough to allow a second ball to be won in the midfield. The ensuing run gives Bret Halsey a look on target but the shot is blocked. The ensueing touch comes from an unexpecting Chirila in an offside positon, as the blocked shot just landed on him.
Offside.
3-1 still.
100'
Union pressuring with some consistant pressure and win consecuative corner kicks to keep things in the FC Cincinnati box. The first corner is served to the top of the box, but Augee is there to deflect the shot which goes well over the net. The second corner then never even makes it to the box as the center ref calls it dead with a foul on the Union.
It has been a bit of a slower final period, with the Union controlling play but the FCC defense hasn't bent nor broken to this point yet.
91'
We are back and it looks like the only sub for FC Cincinnati is Evan Louro coming on for Roman Celentano. Louro is no stranger to the Clearwater/St. Pete, he was a Golden Gloves winner and the Goalkeeper of the Year with Tampa Bay Rowdies before joining FC Cincinnati.
It's a quick drive in here from Tampa Bay and the TPA Airport with many coming across the bay to visit the 35 miles of white sand beaches that were named "Best in the World" and "Best Beach in the South" by USA Today.
90'+
As we approach the 90 minute mark, Brian Schaefer fouls a Union player with a reckless tackle and the Union player is down. The ref decides rather than play things out in stoppage time, we just call it a half.
We will play another 30 minute session, and FC Cincinnati enter the third period up 3-1.
86' GOAL FC CINCINNATI
Ben Augee breaks up the right wing, almost completely unnoticed and cuts in on net before floating a cross over the defensive presence in the box and Bret Halsey crashes in and puts a solid one touch shot on target that beats Andre Blake and gives FC Cincinnati the 3-1 lead. Shot was quality, had real pace to it and well placed.
Augee, a MLS SuperDraft selection, is unsigned at the moment but he gets his name on the score sheet with an assist.
Reminder: reguardless of the score, we will play an extra 30 minutes no mater what.
80'
A brilliant pass up the field from Brian Schaefer springs Peter Mangione and the forward is fouled in a dangerous area. The service in on the free kick is excellent and Ben Augee does all he can to leap into the air but its centimeters too far away and his superman dive is for naught.
Would have been very pretty.
75'
Time for the mass substition. Only Roman Celentano, Stefan Chirila and Andrei Chirila remain on the field. But here is the new group who came on:
Monsuro Opeyemi
Kenji Mboma Dem
Bret Halsey
Ben Augee
Stiven Jimenez
Peter Mangione
Amir Daley
Brian Schaefer
73'
Stefan Chrila is fouled in a very dangerous spot maybe 10 yards out of the box and FC Cincinnati get a good look on target. It is then the young striker Chrila who is given the go ahead to take the kick and he puts it well over the bar.
64' GOAL FC CINCINNATI
THE GOALS KEEP COMING! Obi Nwobodo gets FC Cincinnati the lead after a DeAndre Yedlin crosses a ball through and some chaos leads to the Nigerian Midfielder being there to finish it off.
His shot rings off the post, then off the goalkeepers back and into the back of the net to give FCC it's first lead of the match.
2-1 now. A reminder, we will play 120 minutes no matter what in this match.
61' GOAL FC CINCINNATI
Pavel Bucha intercepts a pass out from Philly Union goalkeeper Andre Blake and this time they don't miss on the break! Bucha runs forward and slots it home past the keeper to the far post for his second goal of the preseason! Stefan Chirila runs with him to open up some space but the Czech midfielder does it himself.
1-1 now, and Andrei Chirila does indeed come on in the break.
60'
Looks like Andrei Chirila is preparing to be the next sub on.
57'
Dangerous chance from Philadelphia Union as a Miles Robinson pass is intercepted and Philly step up to capitalize. A pass out wide leaves a Union player open for a cross, which runs along the goal line before Brian Anunga clears it away.
No damage but dangerous moment.
51'
Union put the ball into the back of the net but the officials call the play dead well before that. A swinging in cross is punched away by Celentano as he's tackled and the sideline ref calls the play offside. Kinda felt like it could have been called for either or but reguadless, its nothing.
FC Cincinnati counter with a chance of its own but Andre Blake steps up and collects the cross himself.
46'
We are back underway here and Philly will kickoff. The only sub for the second 45 is Yuya Kubo making his debut this preseason, coming on for Luca Orellano comes off.
45', Halftime
Ope, my clock had it at few minutes to play before 45 but after Chirila subs in and play resumes the referee calls an end to the first half.
1-0 Philly. We will take a short break before the second 45 minute period kicks off.
43'
Looks like maybe Denkey's day is done as Stefan Chirila begins warming up. Yup, it looks like he is coming on.
Kévin's day is done. 40 minutes of work and an unfortunate exit. Hopefully just precautions. We will not speak with Pat Noonan after today's match given the timing, but a press conference on the match will likely come. Hopefully get some info then.
41'
Uh oh. Kévin Denkey and Jakob Glesnes bang heads going up for a ball and both are down in some real pain. Ref quickly calls the medial staffs out and both are still being attended too.
Dénkey up now, but moving slowly off the pitch. Glesnes remains down.
39'
The high press is causing some problems for Philadelphia and giving FCC some oppertunties but still lacking the final piece of service.
Philly does though win a breakout moment but Alvas Powell clears it away for a through out of bounds. The ensuing play leads to a shot very high for Philly.
35'
Another great chance as the corner kick is taken well and Bucha gets a head to it. The header beats a diving Blake, but a Union defender steps in to clear a sure goal off the line.
Almost as pretty of a goal as the Guiness World Record winning 768 consecutive sunny days the St. Pete/Clearwater had.
31'
Best chance of the day comes as Luca Orellano and Kévin Denkey connect on a cross and a header. Orellano puts a wonderful service across the field for the Togolesse striker but the header just isnt strong enough to beat Andre Blake. Who snaggs the
Very close, very encouraging.
FCC pressing now. A free kick wins a chance for cross from Pavel Bucha, and after it bounces around it goes out for a corner kick.
29'
Another free kick chance for Philly puts a scare into FCC as the service comes in from Celentano's right hand side. Roman goes up to punch away the crossing take but misses, and the ball continues on to the other side of the box where Tai Baribo is. But the newly assigned number 9 for Philly wiffs on his volley attept and the ball goes out harmlessly.
Dangerous moments. But still 1-0 Philly.
27'
FC Cincinnati nearly get on the score board as Pavel Bucha intercepts a pass deep in Union territory, but can't get a clean shot off because it's blocked. It does though land at the feet of Orellano, who tries to make a move but his shot too is blocked. A third attempt could have been had, but in a foot race to the bouncing ball the Union defender pokes it away and ends the threat.
23'
Luca Orellano is taken down hard with no foul and he's in some pain. DeAndre Yedlin ends the play quickly by putting in his own foul on the Union player and that is called. Allowing a stoppage and giving Orellano a chance to get to his feet.
We move on.
18'
FCC has been much strong since I said they've had trouble but, if I may add some color, they are still struggling to make the needed final passes to get strong chances on net. A point of emphasis Pat Noonan raised after the Houston game as a struggle he felt the team had.
Another corner kick is won for The Orange and Blue as Pavel Bucha looks to play a dangerous pass in, but again its defelcted and goes out, rather harmlessly, for a corner kick.
15'
FC Cincinnati struggling to build through the middle of the field and thus not able to really build an attack in the final third to this point, but they do find a breaking moment when DeAndre Yedlin pushes play forward and his pass is just cleared out for a corner kick.
The corner is headed high by...I'm not sure but its ruled a goal kick.
7', Philly Goal
Kai Wagner serves in the corner kick to the near post area, Glesnes rushes on to it and just glances the service with his head and it finds a hole. The Union take an early lead.
5'
Philadelphia get the first dangerous set piece action, and noted strong taker Kai Wagner serves in the free kick from the keepers right but the header attempt is well wide.
A few moments later, a corner kick is won. Philly lining up again.
1'
Kickoff! We are away!
FC Cincinnati get a quick chance off a Philly turnover but it goes wide.
4:55 p.m., 5 minutes from kickoff
We're just moments away from kickoff as the teams make their final preperations. FC Cincinnati will play from my right to left and wear their Canvas kit. The Union will wear the navy blue and gold kits.
The sun is cresting over the far horizon from my view, and the 72 degree weather is just shy of the year long high temp of 81 degrees in the St. Pete/Clearwater area!
4:45 p.m., 15 minutes from kickoff
Lineups are in! FC Cincinnati will lineup as such for the third preseason friendly of the season. A reminder, this game is extending out to 120 minutes so that could factor into any roster decsions.
Here is the lineup for FCC:
Roman Celentano
Alvas Powell
Miles Robinson
Trialist
Trialist
Brian Anunga
Obinna Nwobodo
DeAndre Yedlin
Pavel Bucha
Luca Orellano
Kévin Denkey
Luca Orellano makes his preseason debut after being out the first two matches with a nagging hip injury and Alvas Powell starts for the first time.
3:57 p.m., 1+ hour from kickoff
Good evening and hello! We are back in Clearwater, Florida, for the third of four FC Cincinnati preseason friendlies, and we have returned to the Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex, but this time take on the Philadelphia Union.
The regular preseason foes have a little wrinkle to the story today as, for the first time, Philadelphia will be playing FCC with new Head Coach Bradley Carnell.
For our first early evening preseason friendly of the year, FC Cincinnati and Philadelphia Union will kick off at 5 p.m. and play an extended match, with two 45-minute halves and an extra 30-minute period at the end.
If you joined me for the first two Live Blogs presented by Visit St. Petersburg, welcome back! If you are new to the blog, I’ll run through some important details of the coverage to better prepare you for what you are into.
Now, my personal notes as we go forward. Unlike the last two matches, this match will be streamed thanks to the Philadelphia Union. It will be broadcast on their official website. I will be unable to watch the game, that stream, and type this blog, so while there is an extra resource now, I will still be doing my best to cover this game relatively solo and unaided by more usual accommodations…like a public game clock or instant replay. But I will utilize any resources I have.
If mistakes in my vision or interpretation do occur, I will make sure to go back and correct the public record and leave a note saying I did. My goal is to be helpful here, but also accountable. So, if I make a mistake, it is harmless, but you deserve to know where I’ve made changes without gaslighting you.
Lastly, for those who may be visiting FCCincinnati.com from other fan bases. Welcome! I am not in contact with the Union PR staff, but I may get some info regarding lineups and such. Typically speaking, most of these games also don’t have jerseys with last names (or even numbers in some cases), so I will not be able to identify key info on the fly. I am also going to respect the wishes of all opponent staff requests, so sometimes there is info I can see, but they have asked not to disclose it. So, to continue these blogs in the future, I will refrain from doing so. This match is streamed, though, so there is less to hide, but in any case, I will do my best.
I think that is all, so let’s have a great day in Florida. Follow along here for updates! I will be updating time stamps as we go, and the top of the blog will always show the most recent update. Lineups will be provided as soon as I get them!