RECAP | Charlotte FC 1, FC Cincinnati 1

FC Cincinnati equalized two minutes into second half stoppage time against Charlotte FC to earn a 1-1 result and a valuable road point Saturday night at Bank of America Stadium. 

The Orange and Blue (3-0-3, 12 points) remain unbeaten in Major League Soccer play this season and will remain atop the Eastern Conference standings following another matchday. Charlotte FC moved to 2-2-2 (8 points). 

A back-and-forth affair saw the hosts score first from the penalty spot in the 60th minute, as Djibril Diani sent Charlotte ahead on a penalty kick. But FC Cincinnati found a breakthrough in the match’s waning moments, as Aaron Boupendza scored the latest equalizer from open play in club history.

AS IT HAPPENED
CLT: Djibril Diani, PK GOAL – 60’ (1-0) – Moments after the referee deemed Djibril Diani was fouled on a tackle inside the box, Diani converted from the penalty spot. 

CIN: Aaron Boupendza, GOAL – 90’+2 (1-1) – Two minutes into stoppage time, the Orange and Blue raced down the field to seek an equalizer. A pair of substitutes connected as Gerardo Valenzuela played a ball in behind the Charlotte defense for Sergio Santos, who sent a cross into the middle of the box for DeAndre Yedlin. Yedlin did well to flick the ball behind for Aaron Boupendza, who was left alone to bury his second goal of the season.

The Orange and Blue return home to TQL Stadium next Saturday, April 6 to take on the New York Red Bulls. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET and the match will stream on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, and fans can also listen to the match on ESPN 1530 in Cincinnati and iHeart. Tickets are still available at FCCincinnati.com/Tickets or by calling (513) 977-5425 (KICK).

GAME NOTES
- FC Cincinnati are now 2-1-2 all-time against Charlotte FC.
- FC Cincinnati have allowed just one non-penalty kick goal in MLS play this season, fewest in MLS.
- Aaron Boupendza’s 90’+2 equalizer was the latest regulation non-PK equalizer in club history … Lucho Acosta twice has equalized a game deeper in stoppage time – Both came from the penalty spot, both came last season (September 20 at MTL, 90'+7; July 23 vs SKC in Leagues Cup, 90'+8). 
- FC Cincinnati are unbeaten in nine straight matches on turf (2-0-7 since the March 2022 loss at Charlotte FC).  
- All six of FC Cincinnati’s MLS matches this season have been tied at halftime … No other club has been tied at half in each of their matches this season.
- Nick Hagglund made his first start for FC Cincinnati since October 7, 2023 at Inter Miami CF.

FC CINCINNATI GAME REPORT
FC Cincinnati at Charlotte FC
Date: March 30, 2024
Competition: MLS Regular Season
Venue: Bank of America Stadium
Attendance: 30,043
Kickoff: 7:40 p.m. ET
Weather: 73 degrees, clear

SCORING SUMMARY: 1-2-F
CLT: 0-1-1
CIN: 0-1-1

CLT – Djibril Diani (PK) 60’

CIN – Aaron Boupendza (Yedlin, Santos) 90’+2

LINEUPS
CIN: Roman Celentano, Luca Orellano (Bret Halsey 82’), Miles Robinson, Matt Miazga, Nick Hagglund (Ian Murphy 46’), DeAndre Yedlin, Pavel Bucha (Gerardo Valenzuela 89’), Yuya Kubo (Sergio Santos 82’), Luciano Acosta (C), Corey Baird (Obinna Nwobodo 61’), Aaron Boupendza

Substitutes not used: Evan Louro, Alvas Powell, Kipp Keller, Malik Pinto

Head Coach: Pat Noonan

CLT: Kristijan Kahlina, Nathan Byrne, Jere Uronen, Adilson Malanda, Ashley Westwood (C), Brecht Dejaegere (Junior Urso 74’), Nikola Petkovic (Liel Abada 61’), Djibril Diani, Andrew Privett, Kervin Vargas (Brandt Broncio 90’+6), Patrick Agyemang (Enzo Copetti 74’)

Substitutes not used: David Bingham, Bill Tuiloma, João Pedro, Jaylin Lindsey, Iuri Tavares

Head Coach: Dean Smith

STATS SUMMARY: CLT/CIN
Shots: 15 / 17
Shots on Goal: 2 / 5
Saves: 4 / 1
Corner Kicks: 3 / 5
Fouls: 6 / 14
Offside: 1 / 4
Possession: 40.9 / 59.1

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
CIN – Ian Murphy (Yellow Card) 65’ 
CLT – Brecht Dejaegere (Yellow Card) 72’
CIN – Aaron Boupendza (Yellow Card) 88’
CLT – Kerwin Vargas (Yellow Card) 90’+1
CIN – Obinna Nwobodo (Yellow Card) 90’+7

OFFICIALS 
Referee: Rubiel Vazquez
Ast. Referees: Ryan Graves, Andrew Bigelow
Fourth Official: Thomas Snyder
VAR: Tim Ford
AVAR: Eric Weisbrod