CARY, N.C. – FC Cincinnati bounced back from the midweek elimination from U.S. Open Cup by defeating North Carolina FC 2-0 thanks to goals from Danni König and Jimmy McLaughlin.
The Orange & Blue took to the road at NCFC's WakeMed Soccer Park on a muggy night in Cary, N.C. and picked up a valuable three points on the road as the team maintained its first-place perch at the top of the USL Eastern Conference Standings.
König's goal 37th-minute goal not only proved to be the match-winner, but also moves the Danish striker into sole possession of the top spot in the FC Cincinnati all-time scoring charts.
Alan Koch's men return to action this coming Wednesday when they host Bethlehem Steel FC in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff at Nippert Stadium. The match will be televised on Star64 (WSTR) and will also be available via stream on ESPN+. Tickets for the match are still available by calling 513-977-KICK or by visiting fccincinnati.com/tickets.
North Carolina FC , FC Cincinnati
WakeMed Soccer Park | Cary, N.C.
June 9, 2018
SCORING SUMMARY
FCC – Danni König (unassisted) 37’
FCC – Jimmy McLaughlin (unassisted) 87'
North Carolina FC: Alex Tambakis, D.J. Taylor, Peabo Doue, Michael Harrington, Connor Tobin, Austin da Luz ©, Marcel Kandziora (Kyle Bekker 65'), Graham Smith, Ulrich Ewolo (Marios Lomis 65'), Daniel Ríos
Bench: Wuilito Fernandes, Austin Guerrero, Tiyi Shipalane, Kyle Bekker, Andre Fortune, Aarón Guillén, Marios Lomis
STATS: Shots 20, Shots on target 5, Fouls 11, Corner kicks 6, Offsides 0, Saves 4, Possession 51.6%
FC Cincinnati: Evan Newton, Blake Smith, Forrest Lasso, Paddy Barrett, Justin Hoyte, Richie Ryan ©, Michael Lahoud (Corben Bone 61'), Nazmi Albadawi, Emmanuel Ledesma, Russel Cicerone (Jimmy McLaughlin 73') Danni König (Emery Welshman 82')
Bench: Matt Bahner, Corben Bone, Sem de Wit, Jimmy McLaughlin, Will Seymore, Mark Village, Emery Welshman,
STATS: Shots 12, Shots on target 6, Fouls 10, Corner kicks 2, Offsides 3, Saves 5, Possession 48.4%
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
FCC – Emmanuel Ledesma (caution) 26'
FCC – Danni König (caution) 52'
FCC – Justin Hoyte (caution) 72'
Referee: Mark Allatin
Weather: 86 degrees, partly cloudy and humid
Attendance: 4,039
HOW IT HAPPENED
7’ | North Carolina's Daniel Ríos' right footed shot from more than 35 yards is saved by Evan Newtown.
26' | While waiting to take a corner, Emmanuel Ledesma is shown a yellow card following a short discussion with the referee.
37’ | FCC GOAL – Russell Cicerone cut inside and unleashed a right footed shot from the right side of the box. Though the shot is saved, forward Danni König was there to head home the rebound to give FCC the lead.
43’ | After a throw in on the near side, Nazmi Albadawi worked the ball to the far side where, after a pass, Smith fed Michael Lahoud just inside the penalty area. Lahoud unleashed a rising shot, but it was just wide left of target.
45+3’ | Marcel Kandziora's left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
52’ | Danni König is cautioned for a tough foul.
51’ | Albadawi put Lahoud in just inside the area, and Lahoud pushed it back to Albadawi who lobbed a cross into the heart of the area with his left foot, but Red Bulls cleared for a corner as Emery Welshman crashed in for the headed chance
72’ | Justin Hoyte is shown a yellow card after a stiff challenge.
78’ | Emmanuel Ledesma left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Nazmi Albadawi.
87’ | FCC GOAL – Jimmy McLaughlin tucks away a right footed shot on the rebound from the save off of Emery Welshman's shot .
GAME NOTES
Danni Konig's match-winning goal moves him to the top of the all-time FC Cincinnati scoring charts with his 17th goal for the Orange & Blue, surpassing both Sean Okoli and Djiby Fall.
König's goal also makes him the team's 2018 scoring chart with his sixth goal of the season, one more than Emmanuel Ledesma
The yellow card shown to Emmanuel Ledesma was the Argentine's fifth of the season, and he will face a suspension from our next league outing
FC Cincinnati pushed its 2018 road record to 6-1-1 with today’s win
The victory kept FCC in first place in the USL Eastern Conference standings … second-place Louisville (23 pts.) tied 0-0 with eighth-place Bethlehem Steel FC, and third-place Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC don't resume action until 6/16
POSTGAME QUOTES
Head coach Alan Koch
"Tonight was your classic road match at the end of a 3 match week. We needed to weather a storm at times and our players stepped up in big moments to preserve the shutout and get the 3 points. A lot of character was on display tonight. It doesn't get any easier as we move on to another busy week ahead. "
