FC Cincinnati 2 earned three points in a 2-1 win against Columbus Crew 2 Sunday night at Scudamore Field at NKU Soccer Stadium. The Orange and Blue have now won three of their last four and have won three straight matches at their home venue.
Leo Orejarena scored his first career MLS NEXT Pro goal in the 27th minute to open the first half scoring. Orejarena and Ademar Chávez combined on a short corner which put Orejarena free, with possession, at the top of the box. Orejarena ended the quick move with a brilliant, curled effort to the back post to beat goalkeeper Keller Abbott.
The midfield duo now has goal contributions in back-to-back matches with Orejarena and Chavez each assisting in the Orange and Blue’s win against Toronto last weekend. Chavez’s two assists lead the team this season.
Columbus would grab an equalizing goal in the 32nd minute to send the match into the break level at 1-1, but a second half free kick from Stefan Chirila in the 62nd minute would prove the difference in the match.
Chirila won it for the Orange from the top of the box, electing to go under the Columbus wall for his team leading fourth goal of the year. Chirila has now scored in back-to-back MLS NEXT Pro matches following his two goal effort against the Young Reds last Sunday.
FC Cincinnati 2 are back in action midweek against Huntsville City FC on Wednesday, May 13 at Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET with the match streaming live on OneFootball platforms and on MLSNEXTPro.com.
FC CINCINNATI GAME REPORT
FC Cincinnati 2 vs Columbus Crew 2
Date: May 10, 2026
Competition: MLS NEXT Pro Regular Season
Venue: Scudamore Field at NKU Soccer Stadium | Highland Heights, Ky.
Kickoff: 6:03 p.m. ET
Weather: 70 degrees, clear
SCORING SUMMARY: 1-2-FT
CIN: 1-1-2
CLB: 1-0-1
CIN – Leo Orejarena (Chávez) 27’, Stefan Chirila 62’
CLB – Owen Presthus (Chirinos) 32’
LINEUPS
CIN: Fabian Mrozek, Will Kuisel, Gilberto Flores (Sami Lachekar 63’), Félix Samson, Ayoub Lajhar (Dilan Hurtado 63’), Camden Sphire (Noah Gassan 80’), Michael Sullivan (C) (Jack Mize 63’), Charlie Holmes, Leo Orejarena, Ademar Chávez (Ryan Schlotterbeck 86’), Stefan Chirila
Substitutes not used: David Paz, Mathias Vazquez, Gio Marioni, Nathan Gray
Head Coach: Sammy Castellanos
CLB: Keller Abbott, Tristan Brown, Isaac Heffess, Quinton Elliot, Gianmarco Di Noto, Owen Presthus (Rui Aoki 83’), Johann Chirinos (C), Nico Rincon (Immanuel Ewing 83’), Gio De Libera (Moses Nyeman 68’), Brent Adu Gyamfi (Zach Lloyd 68’), Zach Zengue
Substitutes not used: Alex Zochowski
Head Coach: Federico Higuaín
STATS SUMMARY: CIN/CLB
Shots: 14 / 13
Shots on Goal: 7 / 4
Saves: 3 / 5
Corner Kicks: 5 / 3
Fouls: 12 / 13
Offside: 5 / 4
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
CLB – Brent Adu-Gyamfi (Yellow Card) 37’
CIN – Stefan Chirila (Yellow Card) 38’
CIN – Will Kuisel (Yellow Card) 42’
CIN – Camden Sphire (Yellow Card) 49’
CLB – Gio De Libera (Yellow Card) 61’
CLB – Gianmarco Di Noto (Yellow Card) 87’
CIN – Félix Samson (Red Card) 90’
OFFICIALS
Referee: Daniel Emeri
Ast. Referees: Andrew Charron, Aaron Fong
Fourth Official: Deborah Da Silveria
