FC Cincinnati took down the Western Conference-leading Vancouver Whitecaps 4-3 Wednesday night at TQL Stadium. Yes, the defensive issues remained for Cincinnati, but an offensive-driven win over one of the best teams in MLS coming out of the World Cup break is impressive.
“Good result against a good opponent,” said head coach Pat Noonan. “Eventually, just too much urgency in our press; they play through it too often, and then not able to communicate switches and maintain our shape at times.”
Cincinnati struck first in Wednesday’s match after a perfectly placed shot from Pavel Bucha.
Vancouver answered right back. Off a cross from Bruno Caicedo, Jeevan Badwal placed it home with his right foot, tying it at 1-1 around the 12th minute.
The Whitecaps then took the lead when a shot deflected, banked off the post, and went in. Ryan Gauld was credited with the goal.
Back-and-forth action continued. Kevin Denkey headed in a deflected cross from Ender Echenique off Whitecaps defender Tate Johnson, tying it up at 2-2 around the 28th minute.
A fifth goal of the first half came in the 36th minute, this time Evander placing a ball from just outside the top of the box off the pole, making it 3-2 Cincinnati.
Bucha later extended the lead to 4-2 on a dish from Evander.
Vancouver trimmed its deficit right back to one on yet another defensive lapse from the Cincinnati Ciback line. Gauld lasered home his second of the game from the top of the box, the final goal of the night.
To close out the night, Noonan offered a sentiment aimed at new MLS fans discovering the league after the World Cup, as it was the eighth TQL sellout of the season. “We’re not boring. There’s ways that we need to be a little bit less exciting, I would say. But I think these guys do a good job and these fans. It’s not just the players because imagine your first experience after a World Cup is to come and be a part of that atmosphere. Well, now that’s where you get hooked.”
The first Hell is Real derby of the season is up next, two hours north up I-71 on Saturday night (7:15 PM).
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