July 28, 2024 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
FC Cincinnati 2 News Release
FC Cincinnati 2 defeated Chicago Fire FC II, 5-0, Sunday night at Scudamore Field at NKU Soccer Stadium. The Orange and Blue (12-5-2, 38 points) move into first place in the Eastern Conference standings following Philadelphia Union II’s loss to Columbus Crew 2. Fire II (8-5-6, 35) remain third in the conference standings.
The Orange and Blue took the lead in the 23rd minute and never looked back. Kenji Mboma Dem scored his fifth goal of the year before Stefan Chirila converted on a penalty in the 40th minute for his team leading sixth of the year. Cincinnati held Chicago to just one shot in the opening 45 minutes while firing off nine of their own, five of which threatened the Fire II goal.
It was more of the same in the second half as Guilherme Santos put his name on the scoresheet after heading home his third goal of the campaign. Santos assisted on Mboma Dem’s opening goal of the match and registered his first game with multiple goal contributions. Moises Tablante erased all hopes of a Fire II comeback with a long-distance effort in the 62nd.
Substitute Ben Stitz capped off the night with a fifth and final goal for the Orange and Blue in the first minute of second half stoppage time. Cincinnati’s five goals tie a club record for the most goals scored in a single match.
AS IT HAPPENED
CIN: Kenji Mboma Dem, GOAL – 23′ (1-0) – Nico Benalcazar and Guilherme Santos combined on a quick series of passes to advance a Cincinnati attack through midfield before Santos played the final ball through to Mboma Dem, beating the Chicago defense. Mboma Dem attempted to go up and over goalkeeper Patrick Los who was able to get a hand to it, but the resulting bounce found the back of the net as Mboma Dem watched on.
CIN: Stefan Chirila, GOAL (PK) – 40′ (2-0) – A penalty kick in the 40th minute was awarded after Mboma Dem was taken down in the box by Chicago’s Giovanni Granda. Chirila stepped to the spot and powered his shot straight down the middle.
CIN: Guilherme Santos, GOAL – 58′ (3-0) – Kenji Mboma Dem and Moises Tablante lined up over a free kick from a long way out. Tablante deferred to Mboma Dem who sent in a left-footed curler that met the head of a leaping Santos who snapped home the goal.
CIN: Moises Tablante, GOAL – 62′ (4-0) – A stunning strike from Tablante just past the hour mark put the Orange and Blue up 4-0. After collecting in space and looking for options, Tablante decided to have a go…
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