FC Cincinnati 2 fell to Chicago Fire FC II, 7-2, Sunday afternoon at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois in the lone meeting of the season between the two sides in Matchweek 22 action.
Cheikhou Niang opened the scoring for the Orange and Blue, finding the back of the net for the fourth time this season and giving FCC 2 an early 1-0 lead. Niang found acres of space in behind the Fire II backline after Nathan Gray played a long ball up to the forward. Niang was able to pick his spot with time inside the box and beat Josh Cohen at the near post.
Chicago would score four unanswered following Niang’s goal, as Jason Shokalook scored twice, and Puso Dithejane and Viktor Radojevic each found the back of the net.
Gray would cut into the Fire II lead in first half stoppage time as he scored his first goal for FCC 2. FC Cincinnati Academy defender Noah Gassan would begin the move forward, winning possession from Fire II deep in the half and advancing play forward through Stefan Chirila. Chirila would bring the attack in towards goal and played Gray in before the attacking midfielder finished first time.
Fire II would find three second half goals as David Poreba and Damian Nigg found the back of the net in the 79th and 84th minutes, respectively, and Shokalook completed his hat trick in the first minute of second half stoppage time.
Next up for the Orange and Blue is a trip to Chester, Pennsylvania when they take on Philadelphia Union II on Saturday, August 8 at 12 p.m. ET. The match will air on OneFootball platforms and on MLSNEXTPro.com.
FC CINCINNATI GAME REPORT
FC Cincinnati 2 at Chicago Fire FC II
Date: August 2, 2026
Competition: MLS NEXT Pro Regular Season
Venue: SeatGeek Stadium | Bridgeview, Illinois
Kickoff: 4:03 pm
Weather: 74 degrees, clear
SCORING SUMMARY: 1-2-FT
CHI: 4-3-7
CIN: 2-0-2
CHI: Jason Shokalook (Borso) 13’, Puso Dithejane (Poreba) 19’, Jason Shokalook (Poreba) 30’, Viktor Radojevic (Dithejane) 36’, David Poreba (Turdean) 79’, Damian Nigg 84’, Jason Shokalook (Fleming) 90’+1
CIN: Cheikhou Niang (Gray) 8’, Nathan Gray (S. Chirila) 45’+1
LINEUPS
CHI: Josh Cohen, Viktor Radojevic (Damian Nigg 46’), Sam Rogers (Chase Nagle 46’), Jack Sandmeyer, Dylan Borso, Sergio Oregel Jr. (Oscar Pineda 46’), Richard Fleming III (C), Puso Dithejane (Vitaliy Hlyut 46’), David Poreba, Robert Turdean (Damyan Villanueva 83’), Jason Shokalook
Substitutes not used: Jason Nemo, Dean Boltz, Harrison Bernhardt, Milan Napoe
Head Coach: Michael Matkovich
CIN: Fabian Mrozek, Ayoub Lajhar, LJ Born, Noah Gassan (Sami Lachekar 46’), Deiver Mosquera, Yair Ramos (Camden Sphire 46’), Stiven Jimenez (Leo Orejarena 76’), Charlie Holmes, Stefan Chirila, Nathan Gray (Ademar Chávez 63’), Cheikhou Niang (Jack Mize 83’)
Substitutes not used: David Paz, Mathias Vazquez
Head Coach: Sammy Castellanos
STATS SUMMARY: CHI/CIN
Shots: 18/12
Shots on Goal: 12/5
Saves: 3/5
Corner Kicks: 9/1
Fouls: 4/12
Offside: 1/2
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
CHI: Dylan Borso (Yellow Card) 89’
OFFICIALS
Referee: Calin Radosav
Ast. Referees: James Norris, Audra Fullen
Fourth Official: Ryan Homik
