“One of Our Better All-Around Defensive Performances” – Noonan Praises Defensive Effort in Draw against Orlando

March 5, 2023 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – FC Cincinnati News Release

FC Cincinnati played to a 0-0 draw against Orlando City SC Saturday night at Exploria Stadium.

FC Cincinnati looked sharp early in the team’s first away match of the season down in the Sunshine State. Luciano Acosta pulled the strings in attack for the Orange and Blue as the Argentine playmaker created several dangerous chances throughout the match.

Acosta showcased his quality two minutes into the match, picking up a pass in the attacking third and dancing around a City defender before playing a perfectly weighted pass in towards Brenner, splitting three defenders in the process.

Brenner, who made his first start of the season after appearing as a second half substitute against Houston Dynamo FC, took a quick touch before having an attempt on goal but curled his shot wide of the far post.

Orlando City did well to absorb Cincinnati’s pressure and countered with early chances of their own. Dagur Thórhallsson created a nervy moment for the Orange and Blue in the 10th minute after a marauding run into the box, but failed to pick out a trailing runner after sending a pass across the face of goal.

Facundo Torres capped a four-minute stretch of attacking play for Orlando in the 14th minute after drawing a foul in a dangerous area. Mauricio Pereyra’s subsequent free kick was blocked by Cincinnati’s wall and dealt with to keep Orlando from finding the opening goal.

The match would go into the break knotted at 0-0 with Cincinnati having controlled much of the first-half action on the back of a strong defensive showing.

It didn’t take long for the Orange and Blue to threaten the Orlando goal in the second half as Brandon Vazquez nearly broke the deadlock in the 51st minute. Obinna Nwobodo, who scored and assisted in Cincinnati’s win over Houston, lofted in a cross from the right side of the box to a waiting Vazquez who hit the crossbar leaving the game scoreless.

Acosta and Brenner linked up once again for a chance in the 54th minute. However, Brenner played provider with a long diagonal ball into Acosta whose touch put him past the Orlando defense and in towards goal. Acosta drove into the box with a burst of pace but pushed his attempt wide.

Despite the chances, Cincinnati were unable to find a breakthrough and the match ended 0-0 with the Orange and Blue earning an important early season point on the road. Offseason signing Marco Angulo made his debut for the club, replacing Acosta in the…