In their last match before a two-week break in MLS play, FC Cincinnati lost 5-2 to New York City FC on Thursday night at Yankee Stadium. The Orange and Blue’s next MLS game is June 22 against LA Galaxy at Nippert Stadium.
Here are takeaways from Thursday’s match:
Rough, rough start
It’s worth noting FC Cincinnati nearly took the lead in the fifth minute when Corben Bone found Roland Lamah in on goal. Lamah’s shot was stopped by Brad Stuver, though, and that’s when momentum swing in NYCFC’s favor.
The home side took the lead in the 11th minute when Alexandru Mitrita was left open in the box and finished a cross. Héber, a Brazilian forward, did the same six minutes later. Ismael Tajouri-Shradi tripled the lead in the 29th before Cincinnati scored on a Héber own goal in the 37th minute.
From there, FCC finished the first half playing positively and looked likely to score once more. But four minutes after halftime, Héber scored a beautiful volley to make it 4-1 before an NYCFC own goal cut the deficit to 4-2. Maxi Moralez made it five in the 90th minute.
Playing with limited options
When Roland Lamah went down holding his hamstring in the 58th minute, it was a reminder of FC Cincinnati’s injury woes.
While Leo Bertone played for the first time since May 11, four regular starters missed the match on international duty before the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup. Alvas Powell and Darren Mattocks are with Jamaica, while Allan Cruz and Kendall Waston are with Costa Rica.
Additionally, Kenny Saief (hamstring) and Greg Garza (calf) were unavailable.
With the Orange and Blue not playing a league match until June 22, perhaps it’s a chance to recover.
What comes next
Despite the break in MLS play, FC Cincinnati host their former USL rivals, Louisville City FC, on Wednesday night at Nippert Stadium. The matchup is a meeting in the fourth round of the 2019 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
But before that, Cincinnati plays host to the U.S. Men’s National Team on Sunday afternoon noon in the national team’s first visit to the Queen City. That match against Venezuela will be the national team’s final tune-up before the Gold Cup starts next week. The U.S. are reigning Gold Cup champions.
