FC Cincinnati 2 welcomed Columbus Crew 2 on June 14, for a decisive season series match at Scudamore Field at NKU Soccer Stadium. In the first two matchups between the two clubs this season, both came out victorious on their home turf, heightening the stakes for their final meeting of the season.
Goalkeeper Connor Dale, who recorded five saves on June 8 in his debut match against New England Revolution II, extended his tally with four more and has risen his stock.
At just 15-years-old, Dale was elevated to starting keeper ahead of FCC2’s match against New England Revolution II. Even with the Young Gary having only been on the pitch for a pair of matches thus far, FCC 2 Head Coach Sami Castellanos commended him for his poise and experience at such a young age.
“He's just so cool, calm, and collected,” said Castellanos. “I got to coach him with the national team, so him going to international tournaments, him training with the first team, him playing in really big games, the Generation Adidas Cup. So, this isn't too far from that.”
Nine years after FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew first met in the Hell is Real Derby, the rivalry’s intensity has extended all the way down to the second team level. With the season series tied at one a piece, the match came to offer another layer of significance to the two teams’ fiery histories.
The rivalry’s competitive nature quickly showed itself, as tensions grew in the early stages of the match, with both teams fighting for control. Just 23 minutes in, Chance Malilo was given his first yellow card. Just 14 minutes later, Malilo received his second yellow, resulting in a red on a play that eerily mimicked Dilan Hurtado’s red card last match.
Malilo took a hit on the play and had to be helped off, but so did Castellanos and the rest of FCC 2, having to play down a man for the second straight match.
“I mean, we had that red card in the first half. So, we were down a man. I had to flip the perspective. It's fewer red cards than we got last game, and that's a start with the guys,” said Castellanos jokingly about inspiring his team despite the situation. “We had a few chances in the end in regard to set pieces, but all those guys created those chances. We were trying to fight through tackles, we were trying to get forward and do those things, so I have to continue to educate these guys to base it off those little building blocks, and we keep going.”
In the 68th minute of the still scoreless match, Michael Sullivan was charged with a foul inside the box. The call rose controversy among fans who thought the foul occurred outside of the box. A tide turning call that, like many before, didn’t roll in FCC2’s favor.
Nonetheless, the penalty kick was awarded, and Crew 2 had a great chance to break the tie and put FCC2 in a difficult position down a man.
Chase Adams elected to take the penalty kick, lined up and shot towards the bottom right of the net. Dale read it perfectly, leaping out and making a miraculous save to keep the match knotted.
Although Columbus scored shortly after to take a 1-0 lead, Castellanos stressed the importance of the performance over results.
“Our life isn't based on results, but it's based off of performance, and I thought the guys really busted their butts to try to get something out of it,” Castellanos said.
Malilo, who was making his first MLS NEXT Pro start, didn’t have the debut he may have dreamed of. But the hard work and determination he has shown day in and day out to Castellanos and his staff will propel his career forward even with a not so picture perfect night.
“I had a chat with him the past couple of days, and I thought he's been training really well with the group and has really been a bright spot for us. So, I think he deserved to start,” said Castellanos regarding Malilo being elevated to a starting spot. “It's not going to dictate what he is now, you know. It's just a moment in football that happened to him, and we have to learn from it. And then keep pushing him on.”
With the loss, Castellanos prepares his squad for a quick turnaround, going on the road to face CT United FC this Thurs. June 18 at 6 p.m., where they hope to get back into the win column and snap a five-game skid.
