FC Cincinnati 2 Edges Columbus Crew

May 11, 2024 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
FC Cincinnati 2 News Release

FC Cincinnati made history with the club’s first win at the home of Columbus Crew in the first Hell is Real matchup of the 2024 season with a 2-1 win at Lower.com Field Saturday night.

Cincinnati improved to 7-2-3 (24 points) with their fourth-straight win. Columbus Crew dropped to 3-2-6 (15 points) as they continue to look for their first league win since mid-March.

Cincinnati’s win marked the 50th win across all competitions for FCC Head Coach Pat Noonan.

In a defensive battle, newcomer Kevin Kelsy broke the deadlock and put a header into the back of the net for his first-career goal for the Orange and Blue in his second appearance for FCC. In the 74th minute, Luciano ‘Lucho’ Acosta found the head of Kelsy with a cross across the box to send FCC ahead.

Two minutes later, the reigning MLS Most Valuable Player Lucho Acosta got on the end of a pass from Pavel Bucha and battled a Columbus defender inside the box and sent a right footer into the back of the net.

The Crew scored late but FC Cincinnati held on for the club’s fifth road win of the season.

AS IT HAPPENED

CIN: Kevin Kelsy, GOAL – 74′ (0-1) – FC Cincinnati brought pressure into Crew territory as multiple Orange and Blue jerseys crowded the box. Luciano Acosta drove his dribble up against the right post and chipped a pass over a sliding defender towards Kelsy. Kelsy was able to connect with his head and found the back of the net for his first goal with Cincinnati.

CIN: Luciano Acosta, GOAL – 76′ (0-2) – After getting out to a 1-0 lead in the 74th minute, the Orange and Blue continued to pressure the Columbus defense. Pavel Bucha found Acosta on the left post from just outside the penalty area. Acosta sent a strike past a diving Patrick Schulte and into the net for his second goal contribution of the match.

CLB: Max Arfsten, GOAL – 89′ (1-2) – Following back-to-back goals from Cincinnati, Columbus attacked the box and a shot that was taken by Sean Zawadzki was blocked into the path of Arfsten. From inside the box, he dribbled around a defender and fired a left footer past Celentano.

FC Cincinnati return home to TQL Stadium for two matches next week beginning on Wednesday, May 15 against Atlanta United at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are still available at FCCincinnati.com/Tickets or by calling (513) 977-5425 (KICK) and the match will air on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV and fans can also listen to the match on ESPN 1530.

The Orange and…