FC Cincinnati's first loss of the season to St. Louis City SC
ST. LOUIS - It was a day of downpours at CityPark, both in terms of severe weather and goals raining down on FC Cincinnati. St. Louis City SC, the high-flying expansion franchise, handed FCC their first defeat of the season with a dominant 5-1 victory.
The match was delayed for over two hours due to severe weather, setting the stage for the deluge of goals to come. St. Louis City, now leading the Major League Soccer standings, showcased their prowess and left Cincinnati in their wake. Despite the loss, FCC remains tied for first in the Eastern Conference with a 5-1-2 record.
FC Cincinnati forward Sergio Santos in action
The floodgates opened early in the match when Jared Stroud scored in the third minute. St. Louis City continued their relentless attack with goals from Eduard Löwen and Kyle Hiebert before halftime, effectively sealing the game's fate. Despite missing key players, FCC's performance in the first half was disappointing.
In an attempt to salvage the match, FCC coach Pat Noonan made three substitutions at halftime, leading to a marginal improvement in Cincinnati's play. However, St. Louis City continued their onslaught, adding two more goals through Nicholas Gioacchini and an unfortunate Roman Celentano own goal.
Sergio Santos managed to score a consolation goal for FCC in the 62nd minute, but it was a mere silver lining in a game dominated by St. Louis City. The final score stood at 5-1 in favor of St. Louis City, who took the lead in the MLS Supporters Shield standings.
Despite the defeat, FC Cincinnati's focus now shifts to recovery and regrouping. The upcoming week will involve analyzing and learning from the wreckage of this match, rather than worrying about their position in the standings.
Something to Feel Good About (62')
In a display of resilience, all three FC Cincinnati forwards combined as Sergio Santos tapped the ball into the net off a feed from Dominique Badji, resulting in the team's only goal of the match. Despite the overwhelming odds, FCC showed determination and a refusal to give up. Santos' goal marked his third of the season, a testament to his contribution to the team.
It's Really a Rout (57')
Adding insult to injury, a shot from St. Louis City hit the post, rebounded off goalkeeper Roman Celentano's head, and ended up as an own goal. The score now stood at 5-0, seemingly sealing FCC's fate. The match had turned into a one-sided affair with little respite for FC Cincinnati.
It's a Rout (53')
FC Cincinnati managed to string together some periods of possession and even earned three corner kicks, but St. Louis City swiftly retaliated and Nicholas Gioacchini scored a breakaway goal, extending their lead to 4-0. It was clear that it would be a challenging night for FC Cincinnati.
St. Louis Cruises into Halftime
The severe weather delay transformed into the worst half of soccer FC Cincinnati had played in a long time. Their defense leaked goals, and their attacking efforts were lackluster. Despite having possession in the attacking third, Cincinnati struggled to produce any significant threats. They only managed one shot on goal and faced an uphill battle to salvage any respectability from this match.
The Wheels Are Off (45+')
Kyle Hiebert headed in St. Louis City's third goal of the night, highlighting the rout that was unfolding.
2-Nil (39')
FC Cincinnati's failure to clear the ball led to Eduard Löwen punishing them with a goal, taking advantage of a defensive lapse. It was a costly mistake for Cincinnati, who struggled to find a foothold in the match.
FC Cincy Hanging On (35')
The match took an unexpectedly emotional and heated turn, and FC Cincinnati seemed out of sync. St. Louis City had opportunities to extend their lead further but failed to convert. FCC managed to hang on, hoping to salvage a positive result despite being shorthanded.
St. Louis Strikes Early (3')
In an unfortunate start for FC Cincinnati, Jared Stroud scored a rocket of a shot past Roman Celentano to give St. Louis City an early 1-0 lead. The goal resulted from a free-kick awarded after a needless foul from Alvaro Barreal.
Soccer, Finally (1')
After a prolonged two-hour and eleven-minute delay due to severe weather, including a tornado warning, FC Cincinnati and St. Louis City SC finally kicked off their match. Both teams were eager to get underway after the lengthy wait.
Pre-Match Team News
FC Cincinnati faced significant changes to their regular starting lineup, with Captain Luciano Acosta and midfielder Yuya Kubo ruled out due to injury. Acosta suffered a shoulder injury in the previous match against Philadelphia Union, while Kubo has been absent from the lineup for a month. Brenner Souza da Silva, who is on the verge of completing a transfer to Italy's Serie A side, Udinese, was also absent from the team's training session, casting doubt on his availability for the match.
Weather Update
Despite a tornado watch in effect for the region, it seemed likely that the match would proceed as scheduled. The severe weather posed a potential threat, but both teams and league officials were closely monitoring the situation. Safety remained a top priority.
CityPark Stadium in St. Louis
Conclusion
It was a game to forget for FC Cincinnati, a painful defeat that will linger in the minds of their fans. St. Louis City SC emerged victorious with a resounding 5-1 win, which also propelled them to the top of the MLS Supporters Shield standings. While the loss was a setback for FCC, they remain tied for first place in the Eastern Conference.
The focus now shifts to analyzing the match and learning from it, as FC Cincinnati aims to bounce back stronger in the upcoming fixtures. It's a time for introspection and regrouping, ensuring that they recover from this defeat and continue their journey in Major League Soccer.
