FC Cincinnati 2 closed out the month of July with a home match against New England Revolution II on Sun. July 26. at Scudamore Field at NKU Soccer Stadium. In their two previous matchups, Revs II had the upper hand, scoring late goals that lifted them over FCC 2.
Coming off two losses, FC Cincinnati 2 had the chance to end the month of July with a split, after winning a penalty shootout against Red Bull New York II on July 5.
Right out of the gates, FCC2 got the scoring started in the 12 minute, with Stefan Chirila scoring a goal that deflected off the goalkeepers outstretched arm and curled in. NERII quickly responded with a goal of their own, from their captain Gabe Dahlin to even the score at 1-1.
The score would remain that way going into halftime and last until the 57th minute, where New England jumped ahead with an early second half goal.
In the 81st minute, Chirila recorded his second goal of the match, which was a much-needed equalizer late in the game. The goal pushed the match to a penalty shootout where FCC2 would get the 4-1 win and avoid the season sweep.
The 19-year-old striker recorded his second brace of the season and leads the team in goals with seven. Chirila scored nine goals in 2025, which was his career high. However with his recent performance, scoring three goals in his last four matches, he is outpacing his sophomore season.
“I think I thrive. I don't really feel affected by pressure… I try to get us off to a strong start and get the team rolling,” said forward Stefan Chirila about his recent performance.
Outside of his performance on the pitch, Chirila’s presence in the locker room is a trait that stands out. His philosophy is leading by example, and Chirila has done just that ever since he first stepped on the pitch.
“I try to lead by example. I'm not the loudest guy in the locker room or on the field. So, I try to lead with the work on the field, and hopefully, the younger kids see it,” said Chirila about his leadership philosophy.
Goalkeeper Fabian Mrozek had four saves in the match, just one short of his mark in FCC2’s Mar. 15 matchup against NERII, including two aerial saves in the penalty shootout that lifted the orange and blue over NERII for the first time this season.
“He's just really cool emotionally, even keel in all moments… he brings that level of experience, and I’m just always happy to have him here,” said Head Coach Sami Castellanos about Mrozek’s contributions. “He brings calmness to the team that we need because we are young in that back line. So, he brings that kind of composure to kind of help steady the group a little bit.”
Mrozek’s contributions at goalkeeper have reinforced a young FCC 2 squad for much of the season, however multiple first team players, like Ayoub Lajhar and Kristian Fletcher, who started tonight, were sparkplugs for the miraculous comeback.
“We want those guys to set an example on how you should go about being a professional. How you come in. How you go about your warmup. How you go about everything. Being focused,” said Castellanos. “And it’s tough for them too, because they’re not walking into TQL Stadium, and they're in this setting and they're with significantly younger guys playing. It can sometimes bring their confidence level down. But they push through.”
Defender Landon Born made his first MLS NEXT Pro start, after logging his first career minutes on July 5 against RBNY II. Born’s debut marked the 11th academy debut this season, and at just 16-years-old he has many more accomplishments to come.
“We prepared for this. We've been working with him for the past month, month and a half in our setting. We dipped his toe in when he got those 10 minutes in, and we're seeing it,” said Castellanos. “And then we're pushing him harder in training… so we're seeing our work kind of come to life on the field where he didn't miss a beat.”
With the win, FCC2 secures a split for the month of July, and have a packed six-match month of August, with their first match on the road against Chicago Fire FC II on Aug. 2, for their first and only meeting of the season.
