After surrendering a penalty kick goal just before halftime, FC Cincinnati found themselves down 2-1 heading into the tunnel. Then, just three minutes into the second half, Chicago Fire FC’s Hugo Cuypers slotted his second goal of the match to extend their lead 3-1.
FC Cincinnati, sitting at a 2-2-4 record, hasn’t gotten off to the start Pat Noonan envisioned after the club finished second in the Eastern Conference just a season ago. But key contributions from two young players helped flip the two-goal deficit in a crucial game at TQL Stadium. Noonan gave Kenji Mboma Dem his first MLS start on Saturday night and called on Gerardo “Dado” Valenzuela in the 70 to change the game.
Valenzuela, who has started in three regular seasons matches so far for The Orange and Blue, instantly sparked the FC Cincinnati offense, as they geared up for a comeback.
In the 79th minute, midfielder Evander delivered a pass into the box that landed just in front of Valenzula for a chance to chip away at the lead. Valenzuela was unable to take the shot but was back ended by Chicago Fire FC defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi, earning a penalty kick and allowing Evander to net his much anticipated first goal of the season.
“Yeah, it was there. I saw the ball. I saw the guy wasn't looking at me, so I ran in front of him, and he clipped my foot,” Valenzuela said about the foul. “We practice together a lot, and with Evander specifically...those are the passes that I look for to make the run, because I know that that he can get the ball there.”
“It means a lot to the team,” Valenzuela added to the importance of Evander’s goal. “You know, (Evander’s) a big part of the team, and for him to get going is kind of what we need. It’ll come. The first one comes and then the flood gates open. So, yeah, it's good.”
In addition to Venezuela, Mboma Dem has also added considerable contributions to the team, scoring the equalizing goal in the 93rd minute on the road against Toronto FC last week, which earned him not just more playing time but a starting spot.
“Grateful for that first MLS start… some disappointment, but you know, we've got to focus quickly. There's a game coming on Wednesday,” Mboma Dem said. “I’ve been used to playing more as a nine, kind of second 10, and today it felt really good being in that position, but then playing wing back, I've been training a lot at that position, and I've had a few minutes in that position as well, and it's just about helping the team out, so making sure I do my role offensively and defensively.”
Both Mboma Dem and Venezuela were crucial in mounting the comeback, turning an almost sure-fire loss into a draw. But in totality, there are some improvements that need to be made.
“We find ourselves in too many holes that we try to dig ourselves out of and too big a hole to climb out of to get the win,” Head coach Pat Noonan said. “The fight’s good, we’ve seen that, but we need more to start games, to not find ourselves chasing the game.”
FC Cincinnati prepares for a short turnaround, taking on New York City FC on Wednesday, April 22 at Yankee Stadium before returning home to face Red Bull New York.
