FC Cincinnati 2 fell to CT United FC, 3-2, Sunday night at Scudamore Field at NKU Soccer Stadium in Matchweek 24 action.
Stefan Chirila stole the show in the first half, netting his fifth career brace with goals in the 18th and 25th minutes of play. Chirila’s first of the night came on the end of a long solo run into the CT United box where the forward was able to create enough space for a low shot through a series of quick feints and fake shots.
Chirila’s second was a powerful strike from outside the box that took a deflection off the body of a CT United defender before clipping the inside of the right post. Ademar Chávez and Yair Ramos picked up assists on Chirila’s first and second goals, respectively.
CT United would score three unanswered beginning in first half stoppage time. Dylan Lacy would score the visitor’s first just seconds before the halftime whistle. In the second half, Alex Monis would convert from the penalty spot to level the match at 2-2 before substitute Bryan Destin would win it in the 79th.
The Orange and Blue are back on the road for their next MLS NEXT Pro match which comes against New York City FC II on Wednesday, August 19. The match kicks off from Icahn Stadium at 5 p.m. ET with the match airing live on OneFootball platforms and on MLSNEXTPro.com.
FC CINCINNATI 2 GAME REPORT
FC Cincinnati 2 vs CT United FC
Date: August 16, 2026
Competition: MLS NEXT Pro Regular Season
Venue: Scudamore Field at NKU Soccer Stadium | Highland Heights, Kentucky
Kickoff: 6:03 p.m. ET
Weather: 87 degrees, clear
SCORING SUMMARY: 1-2-FT
CIN: 2-0-2
CTU: 1-2-3
CIN – Stefan Chirila (Chávez) 18’, Stefan Chirila (Ramos) 25’
CTU – Dylan Lacy (Tanyi) 45’+2, Alex Monis (PK) 68’, Bryan Destin (Tanyi) 75’
LINEUPS
CIN: Fabian Mrozek, Andrei Chirila (Sami Lachekar 61’), LJ Born, Félix Samson, Ayoub Lajhar, Camden Sphire, Yair Ramos, Deiver Mosquera (Charlie Holmes 75’), Stefan Chirila (C), Ademar Chávez (Nathan Gray 88’), Cheikhou Niang (Mathias Vazquez 88’)
Substitutes not used: David Paz, Jack Mize, Leo Orejarena, Chance Malilo, Dom Lester
Head Coach: Sammy Castellanos
CTU: Gunther Rankenburg, Andre Applewhaite, Michael Boamah (Jahvar Stephenson 46’), Lukas Kamrath, Rickson Van Hees, Steven Sserwadda (Warren Agostoni 79’), Dylan Lacey (Bryan Destin 46’), Robbie Mora (Ernesto Gomez 46’), Daniel D’Ippolito (Laurie Goddard 73’), Alex Monis (C)
Substitutes not used: Anthony Ramos, Caua Paixao, Neo Che, Ayden Wolanski
Head Coach: Shavar Thomas
STATS SUMMARY: CIN/CTU
Shots: 9 / 14
Shots on Goal: 2 / 6
Saves: 3 / 0
Corner Kicks: 4 / 3
Fouls: 15 / 11
Offside: 4 / 3
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
CTU: Michael Boamah (Yellow Card) 14’
CTU: Andre Applewhaite (Yellow Card) 60’
CTU: Jahvar Stephenson (Yellow Card) 63’
CIN: Fabian Mrozek (Yellow Card) 67’
CIN: Camden Sphire (Yellow Card) 82’
CTU: Alex Monis (Yellow Card) 90’+4
OFFICIALS
Referee: Salvador Flores
Ast. Referees: Alexandru Focea, Miklos Hendricks
Fourth Official: Aaron Fong
