CINCINNATI, OH – The Orange and Blue took to the pitch at Gettler Stadium for the second straight time as the University of Cincinnati played host in a preseason friendly. Futbol Club Cincinnati was victorious, 1-0, over the home squad in 90 minutes of action on a cold and snowy Wednesday night.
“Tonight was a good exercise for us. I think we got something out of it,” said FCC Assistant Coach Yoann Dumet postgame, standing in for Head Coach Alan Koch who was away from the club for personal reasons.
“The most important was to get minutes for everybody and to do a good review of the roster. We are happy, no injuries, it was a good game. We were able to see what we wanted during those 90 minutes. Conditions were tough, we have the cold especially, but I think it was a good exercise for us ten days before the start of the USL season.”
Despite controlling possession for a majority of the first half, FCC couldn’t break the scoreless tie until the 42nd minute on a header by forward Russell Cicerone. Fellow forward Daniel Haber crossed the ball from the left side into the box, and Cicerone placed it inside the net at the near goal post.
Moments later, Cicerone looked for an assist when he crossed the ball inside to forward Tomi Ameobi for a header try. However, Ameobi’s header sailed high and FCC entered intermission with a one-goal lead.
Through 45 minutes, the Orange and Blue held a 10-2 shot advantage over the Bearcats. Matt Bahner searched to put FCC on the board in the early going with a cross in the 11th minute intended for Haber, but Haber’s try from inside the box missed wide left.
FCC kept the Bearcats on their heels again in the second period, staying on the attack within UC territory. On the defensive side, the Orange and Blue played tight on the ball, rarely allowing UC inside the box.
In the 71st minute, the Orange and Blue blocked a corner from UC, but Bearcats midfielder Mason Volker tried a shot off the deflection from just outside the top of the box that was saved by keeper Evan Newton.
Late in the match, the Bearcats attacked in hope of an equalizer in the 77th minute as Newton left the box in defense. Defender Forrest Lasso blocked a shot by UC forward Darryn Commissiong at the goal line to seal the 1-0 win.
FCC outshot UC 20-8 on the night and Newton recorded his only save in the second period.
The Orange and Blue host their first match of 2018 at Nippert Stadium Saturday against Sacramento Republic FC in a final preseason tune-up. The match is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. FCC remains unbeaten in preseason action.
GOAL SUMMARY:
FCC: 42nd – Russell Cicerone (Daniel Haber)
STARTING LINEUPS:
FCC: Evan Newton, Nazmi Albadawi, Russell Cicerone, Will Seymore, Tomi Ameobi, Matt Bahner, Garrett Halfhill, Paddy Barrett, Sem De Wit, Daniel Haber, Josu
UC: Noah Lawrence, Darryn Commissiong, Mads Tranberg, Sean Clarke, Peyton Mowery, Elias Helbig, Austin Smythe, Ryan Melink, Mason Volker, Aerin West, Christian Hay
