The perfect ending to playing at Nippert Stadium in 2019 was minutes away. Keeping Orlando City SC scoreless through 90 minutes, the Orange and Blue just needed to close out stoppage time.
They couldn’t, and as a result, conceded and drew, 1-1, on Sunday night in the final home match this season.
Here are the takeaways from the result:
The best chances were early ones
Allan Cruz scored his seventh goal this season in the 40th minute when he buried a cross from Emmanuel Ledesma. The goal was a well-worked routine that put the home side deservedly in front.
That wasn’t the only chance.
Earlier in the half, Roland Lamah nearly scored when his driven shot smashed the far post. He also nearly won a penalty kick in first half stoppage time, but the match official didn’t award the penalty. The play – despite seeming clear cut live and on replay – was not reviews via VAR.
The point is, it could’ve been more than 1-0 at the break, and that second goal would’ve sealed the win.
In the first half, the first 30 minutes we were pretty good in the building up and defending,” Head Coach Ron Jans said. “We did very well. We had some trouble in the last 15 minutes. I think we deserved a goal and maybe we should have taken more of an advantage because Orlando started only the second half and they didn’t do a lot.”
Of course, the Cruz goal was the only one Cincinnati capitalized on, which led to only gaining a point from the game.
That Cruz goal highlighted his value this season
The Costa Rican midfielder was named FC Cincinnati’s Most Valuable Player last week in a poll conducted by players, the media and supporters. That they all agreed speaks to his quality.
Cruz has now scored in two-straight matches for Cincinnati when he’s played. That first was seconds into the 1-0 win against the Montreal Impact on Sept. 14. But during that game, he sustained a head injury and missed two games while in concussion protocol.
Sunday night was his return and a reminder of his quality for FCC. As of the Orlando draw, he leads the team with seven goals.
Because he picked up a yellow card, he’ll miss next match – the team’s final match of 2019 next Sunday – with a suspension due to yellow card accumulation. Thus, the 2019 season is done for FC Cincinnati’s best player.
“I thank God for brining me here,” Cruz said. “Thankfully, it went well for me this season. I was able to score seven goals and help the team out a lot. I am sad for the fifth yellow card, but we move forward.”
In an interview Friday, FCC General Manager Gerard Nijkamp said Cruz is the type of player the club wants in its future. Nijkamp hinted the Costa Rican will hopefully be with the team when the West End Stadium opens in 2021.
Fans applauded for their continued support
The team walked around the field thanking the fans for their passion and devotion sticking with the team throughout the 2019 campaign.
As the players lapped, some received memorabilia from fans, like scarves and a banner.
Once that ended, the Orange and Blue gathered before the The Bailey for a 2019 sendoff and final goodbye before players signed autographs. This included a rendition of “Happy Birthday” to Jans on his 61st birthday
“I said earlier this week before I never experienced this positivity here in Cincinnati and in Ohio and I love it,” the Dutchman said. “I think it’s sensational.”
What comes next
FC Cincinnati conclude their inaugural MLS season next Sunday at D.C. United. That will mark the club’s last match until preseason begins in January 2020.
The offseason is expected to be a busy one, as Nijkamp said he’ll be recruiting players to change the club’s roster ahead of a season in the first division
