Maikel van der Werff fell to the turf in exhaustion when the final whistle sounded. Fifteen minutes earlier, he had the best scoring opportunity of any player when his 80th-minute header smashed the crossbar. Afterward, all he could do was lean back and put his hands behind his head.
Ten minutes later, van der Werff was forward for another corner, but one where FC Cincinnati lacked any scoring threat. Instead, it was the Chicago Fire racing toward Cincinnati’s goal on a counter attack.
So, what did van der Werff do? He and fellow center back Kendall Waston sprinted the length of the pitch to deny Chicago from scoring, and in turn, denying points in a vital playoff push.
The header and the sprint were little moments, but they told the bigger story of Saturday night’s 0-0 draw at Nippert Stadium. In a game where the Orange and Blue had little to play for beyond pride, they delivered one of their performances of the season at the expense of the opponent
“I think they looked like lions,” Head Coach Ron Jans said of his players afterward.
Here are the takeaways from the game:
With the clean sheet, Cincinnati earned its first home point since July 6 and first home result under Jans
But rather than focusing on the point, it’s about the way FCC played the match. On a night where they officially became the last-place team in MLS this season, they delivered a passionate performance that resembled a playoff push.
The first half was quiet but effective. For the Orange and Blue, they haven’t allowed an opponent to score in the first half in three-straight games. In the second 45 minutes, the match opened up and both teams had scoring chances. That meant attacking charges for the home side and sprints back defensively to recover.
“I’m satisfied with the team spirit and everyone fighting,” Jans said. “If you see van der Werff and Waston running back after a corner kick, it’s not running back, it’s sprinting back. I think that says it all.”
It’s also worth noting what Cincinnati was running toward, and in turn, running away from.
If FCC concede another goal this season, they’ll have surpassed the MLS record for most goals conceded in a single season. Currently, they’re tied with Orlando City SC’s 2018 team with 74 goals allowed.
That’s a stat no one wants to be a part of, obviously, but it’s impossible to mention the team’s present progress while not highlighting that reality.
At times, Cincinnati has conceded goals in bunches. On Sept. 7, it allowed a club-worst five against Toronto FC. Two days later, the team had a meeting to discuss how it wanted to define the future
Here’s what that future has looked like:
FC Cincinnati beat the Montreal Impact, 1-0, the following week in Canada. Last match, Wednesday, they lost to the reigning league champs, but played well. Saturday night, they earned a second clean sheet in three matches.
That brings their total shutouts to four this season.
“The best medicine was not the meeting, but the win in Montreal,” Jans said. “You get more confidence, and when you get more confidence, you play better soccer.”
The Orange and Blue are playing some of their best soccer to date.
Given the way this season has transpired, it’d be easy to say the final home match next Sunday is a game to get over with and move on from. There’s already been plenty of talk about the offseason, roster plans and how the team moves forward. Even Jans said players have dealt with uncertainty of their future. But given the recent performances, this almost feels like a fresh start
Tommy McCabe made only his second start and delivered a fine performance that Jans dubbed “mature” afterward. His composure and quality is something to smile about moving forward.
Frankie Amaya’s attacking tendencies, which actively grow supporter enthusiasm around Nippert Stadium, are part of the future.
In truth, there’s plenty in the present that will remain. But after loss after loss after loss, finishing matches with zero points hasn’t been a late season tendency, just like it wasn’t at the start of 2019.
The Orange and Blue host their final home match next Sunday with momentum. For fans, they’ve just seen a positive performance that ended in a point. Now, it’s about how can they see another positive one that ends with three.
What comes next
Following the draw against the Fire, FC Cincinnati finish their home slate of matches next Sunday when they host Orlando City SC at Nippert Stadium. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. That’ll be the last home game until 2020.
