FC Cincinnati 2 Hand Philadelphia Union II First Loss of the Season Behind Valenzuela Hat Trick

April 28, 2024 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
FC Cincinnati 2 News Release

FC Cincinnati 2 (3-3-1, 10 points) earned a 3-1 win over Philadelphia Union II (3-1-3, 14 points) Sunday afternoon at Scudamore Field at NKU Soccer Stadium for their second consecutive victory in MLS NEXT Pro play. The Orange and Blue handed Union II their first loss of the season and move into the upper half of the Eastern Conference table.

Gerardo Valenzuela accounted for all three goals for FCC 2, netting the first hat trick in the team’s third season. Valenzuela, who made his season debut for FCC 2 last Sunday against Atlanta United 2, scored his first goal of the MLS NEXT Pro season to give the Orange and Blue a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute of play.

The Orange and Blue doubled the lead four minutes into the second half as Valenzuela tallied his second of the afternoon. Peter Mangione assisted on the goal, picking up his first of the season after scoring his first MLS NEXT Pro goal last week against Atlanta.

Kyle Tucker scored Philadelphia’s lone goal of the afternoon to keep Union II in it, but Valenzuela stole the show, completing his hat trick in the 88th minute. The Orange and Blue have now scored seven goals over their last two MLS NEXT Pro matches.

FC Cincinnati Academy U17 forward Stefan Chirila made his first MLS NEXT Pro start and his fourth appearance of the season. Chirila played 90 minutes in the contest and helped spring the Cincinnati attack on Valenzuela’s third and final goal of the match.

Next up for FC Cincinnati 2 is a home match against Crown Legacy FC next Saturday, May 4, at Scudamore Field at 4 p.m. ET. Tickets for the match can be redeemed through the redeemed through the FC Cincinnati app. Streaming and broadcast details will be released at a later date.

AS IT HAPPENED

CIN: Gerardo Valenzuela, GOAL – 21′ (1-0) – Peter Mangione battled a pair of Philadelphia Union II defenders before navigating into open space and picking out Valenzuela near the top of the box. Valenzuela beat one Union II defender before splitting another pair and calmly dribbled around Andrew Rick to roll a brilliant solo effort into the back of the net.

CIN: Gerardo Valenzuela, GOAL – 49′ (2-0) – A foul from Philadelphia set the Orange and Blue up with a free kick from about 30 yards out from goal. Peter Mangione curled a perfect ball in and found Valenzuela making a run to the near post. Valenzuela met the service and guided it across the face of goal and into the back of the net at the far…