November 25, 2023 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – FC Cincinnati News Release
In the coldest home match in FC Cincinnati history, The Orange and Blue kept their cool, stayed red hot on the ball and delivered a revenge win over Philadelphia Union 1-0 in a rematch of the 2022 Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Yerson Mosquera found the match winner in stoppage time, taking a touch on an Ian Murphy header to the center of the box and firing the shot on net past a diving Philadelphia Union goalkeeper. The goal was the Colombian center backs first MLS Cup Playoffs finish and his third for FC Cincinnati across all competitions.
The late goal earned FC Cincinnati their first ever trip to the Eastern Conference Finals where they will take on Columbus Crew on Saturday, December 2nd at TQL Stadium in an all Ohio MLS Cup Eastern Conference Finals showdown.
With extra time looming, as four of six minutes of stoppage time had already elapsed, and both clubs sitting at an offensive stalemate, Álvaro Barreal sent a long crossing service into the box that found the head of Murphy. Mosquera, who found himself in the right place at the right time and placed his shot in the perfect spot as the diving keeper could not stop the ground shot. The goal was initially checked for a possible offside but was ultimately ruled that both Murphy and Mosquera were in legal position. Both Barreal and Murphy logged their first ever MLS Cup Playoff assists on the play.
Next Man Up mentality
Without defensive stalwarts Matt Miazga and Obinna Nwobodo in the lineup, and Santiago Arias starting on the bench, FC Cincinnati needed everyone to step up their game and contribute. Ray Gaddis, Alvas Powell and Yuya Kubo were tapped to fill in for the absent starters.
Throughout the season Pat Noonan was forced to get creative with lineup choices for a variety of reasons: injury, international duty, rest and rotation. Familiarity with changes to the starting group, and combinations of stars helped give confidence to the group on the pitch.
“This whole year, everybody stepped up and did their job every time they were called upon,” forward Brandon Vazquez said. “You see it in training sessions. The intensity, the quality everybody brings, it pushes everyone to be at their best every day. And so I think no matter who’s called upon, everyone is ready.”
Despite the absence of the MLS Defender of the Year and one of the best defensive midfielders in the league, FC Cincinnati’s midfielders frustrated the Union’s…
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