Despite Kekuta Manneh scoring an equalizing goal in the 72nd minute, FC Cincinnati allowed another in the 73rd and a third 10 minutes later in a 3-1 loss to the Colorado Rapids on Saturday night at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
Here are some takeaways from the match:
Another lopsided score line that didn’t entirely reflect the match
Yes, FCC lost 3-1 and were outplayed late in the match. The score was accurate in that regard.
But the visitors controlled the flow of the match before the Rapids took a 2-1 lead.
The building-from-the-back approach that Interim Head Coach Yoann Damet has implemented was on display, as the Orange and Blue controlled the flow of the match with 60% possession and out-passed the Rapids 548-361.
But only producing three shots on target from 11 shots total showed the building from the back didn’t completely lead to attacking opportunities. Colorado had 12 shots and six on target. As Damet said following the game, the team needs to be more clinical and finish its opportunities.
More on “that” minute
Manneh equalized in the 72nd minute. Nicolás Mezquida put Colorado back in front a minute later.
It was a sequence that defined the night for Cincinnati. The Orange and Blue controlled the match’s flow through steady passing strings. When space was open, they took it. Manneh’s goal was the epitome of that.
Given space between the Colorado center backs, he collected a ball from Roland Lamah and coolly tucked it past Tim Howard. It was a deserving goal.
In the restart to play, Cincinnati failed to clear the ball and conceded a preventable goal. Ultimately, the moment solidified momentum for the Rapids.
What comes next
After Saturday night’s match, the Orange and Blue have a short turnaround before their next match: Thursday night at New York City FC.
That game will be Cincinnati’s 15th this season and the last league until June 22. MLS clubs have a brief break for the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup, but will enter U.S. Open Cup play on June 12 against a familiar foe: Louisville City FC of the USL Championship.
Before that time, however, the U.S. Men’s National Team visits Nippert Stadium for the first time ever next Sunday for a friendly against Venezuela. The game will be the USMNT’s last before the Gold Cup kicks off the next week. Tickets are still available for the MNT match, and tickets for the USOC match will go on sale to the public on Wednesday, June 5 as the Season Ticket Member presale concludes that morning.
