After a positive, attacking start, FC Cincinnati finished Sunday afternoon with a 1-1 draw against Sporting Kansas City at Nippert Stadium.
Here are three takeaways from the result:
The chances for three points were there
The Orange and Blue started on the front foot and took the lead in the 19th minute when Darren Mattocks converted a penalty kick. The chance was created from Roland Lamah was tackled as he barreled down on goal.
While the penalty was Cincinnati’s lone goal, more could’ve happened.
FCC started the match with a high press that closed down the Sporting backline and midfield. As a result, the club was able to win the ball in dangerous areas and create chances. Mattocks smashing a shot against the post in the 34th minute was an example.
Later in the second half, Kenny Saief won the ball in SKC territory and Cincinnati created a perfect opportunity for Kekuta Manneh to double the lead. His shot missed the target in the 60th minute and the visitors equalized two minutes later.
In the 84th minute, Nick Hagglund scored on a header but the goal was disallowed for being offside.
FCC couldn’t take advantage of SKC’s roster rotation
On Thursday night, Sporting lost 5-0 to Monterrey in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions League semifinals. The next leg is Thursday.
But with that in mind, the visitors opted for almost an entirely different looking team that was headlined by Johnny Russell. Gedion Zelalem made his MLS debut, while Gianluca Busio started as a 16-year-old.
In the end, Cincinnati couldn’t punish Kansas City for fielding a weaker lineup. Eventually, the visitors equalized in the 62nd minute after a miscommunication between FCC goalkeeper Spencer Richey and left back Greg Garza.
What comes next won’t get any easier
Following the result, FC Cincinnati play at LAFC next Saturday night. The Californian club looks like the league’s best team currently after demolishing D.C. United 4-0 on the road Saturday afternoon.
Following that, Cincinnati hosts Real Salt Lake on April 19 before two road matches: at New York Red Bulls and at Philadelphia Union, who beat Cincinnati last week at Nippert.
