CINCINNATI – FC Cincinnati defeated Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, 2-0, Tuesday night after extra time at TQL Stadium to advance to the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Round of 32. With the win, the Orange and Blue improve all-time to 9-3-2 in the U.S. Open Cup.
After the contest ended scoreless through 90 minutes, Álvaro Barreal was taken down in the box four minutes into extra time by Pittsburgh goalkeeper Jahmali Waite, which sent the Orange and Blue to the penalty spot. Barreal converted the penalty to net the game-winner in the 95th minute.
Barreal secured a brace in the 99th minute to put the game to rest. Alvas Powell sent a long ball from FCC’s defensive half which Barreal outran the Pittsburgh defense for, and fired a left footed shot across the face of goal for a 2-0 lead.
FC Cincinnati improve all-time to 6-0-4 against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, and await their Round of 32 opponent. The opponent, date and location of the Round of 32 game will be determined via a draw set to take place on Friday, April 22.
The Orange and Blue stay in the Queen City to host LAFC on Sunday, April 24 at 5 p.m. All fans are encouraged to wear orange for an Orange Out at TQL Stadium, and the game will be broadcast nationally on FS1 and FOX Deportes.
FC CINCINNATI GAME REPORT
FC Cincinnati vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
Date: April 19, 2022
Competition: Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Third Round
Venue: TQL Stadium
Attendance: 5,458
Kickoff: 7:08 p.m. ET
Weather: 53 degrees, clear
SCORING SUMMARY: 1-2-ET-F
CIN: 0-0-2-2
PIT: 0-0-0-0
CIN - Álvaro Barreal (PK) 95’, Álvaro Barreal (Alvas Powell) 99’
PIT - None
GAME NOTES
• FC Cincinnati improve to 9-3-2 all-time in the U.S. Open Cup, and played in a contest which went to stoppage time for the first time since June 12, 2019 against Louisville City FC in the U.S. Open Cup, a 2-1 win for the Orange and Blue.
• FC Cincinnati are an undefeated 6-0-4 against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC all-time, including 3-0-2 in the Queen City and 2-0-0 in the U.S. Open Cup.
• Álvaro Barreal netted his first career brace with FC Cincinnati … the brace is the fourth for any FC Cincinnati player across all competitions since 2019.
• Roman Celentano made his first start with FC Cincinnati … Harrison Robledo and John Nelson made their first career starts with the Orange and Blue … Isaac Atanga, Zico Bailey and Haris Medunjanin made their first starts of the season with FCC.
• The match featured FC Cincinnati make six substitutions for the first time in club history.
LINEUPS
CIN: Roman Celentano, John Nelson (Arquimides Ordonez 70’), Ian Murphy (Alvas Powell 70’), Nick Hagglund, Zico Bailey, Haris Medunjanin (C) (Yuya Kubo 91’), Harrison Robledo, Álvaro Barreal, Allan Cruz (Luciano Acosta 78’), Isaac Atanga (Calvin Harris 78’), Nick Markanich (Junior Moreno 102’)
Substitutes not used: Beckham Sunderland
Head Coach: Pat Noonan
PIT: Jahmali Waite, Jelani Peters (Mekeil Williams 91’), Arturo Osuna, Luke Biasi (Shane Wiedt 91’), Nathan Dos Santos (Toby Sims 104’), Daniel Rovira (Kenardo Forbes 74’), Daniel Griffin, Russell Cicerone, Alex Dixon (C), Albert Dikwa (Dane Kelly 74’), Luis Argudo (Angelo Kelly-Rosales 80’)
Substitutes not used: Kevin Silva
Head Coach: Bob Lilley
STATS SUMMARY: CIN/PIT
Shots: 18 / 10
Shots on Goal: 8 / 2
Saves: 2 / 5
Corner Kicks: 5 / 3
Fouls: 12 / 25
Offside: 2 / 2
Possession: 57.3 / 42.7
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
PIT - Daniel Griffin (caution) 36'
PIT - Albert Dikwa (caution) 69'
PIT - Luis Argudo (caution) 72'
CIN - Nick Hagglund (caution) 90'
CIN - Haris Medunjanin (caution) 90+1'
OFFICIALS
Referee: Eric Tattersall
Ast. Referees: Jamie Duling, Chris Schurfranz
Fourth Official: Noah Matos
POSTGAME QUOTES
FC Cincinnati Head Coach Pat Noonan
Opening statement
“I thought that was a really professional performance from the group. This was an opportunity for a lot of players to go out and show themselves in some much-earned minutes. And I thought, overall, very, very pleased with how we managed the game. I thought the first half, we were too often when we won the ball playing negative, and we weren't able to advance with the ball with any kind of numbers advantage. I thought we were a little too safe, and they're organized, credit to [Head Coach] Bob [Lilley] and their team, they do a very good job of staying organized and being tough to break down. And so the moments where we won the ball, we kind of got too comfortable in going back towards our own goal. So, that was one of the messages at halftime, and then just quicker ball rotation to find some pockets to play forward, a little bit more patience ahead of the ball to find pockets to receive and play forward.”
On Álvaro Barreal and playing different positions
“He’s been asked to come into games at times, in maybe unnatural positions, just to find minutes from him, because he is talented. And he can make plays for us, like you saw tonight. So a little bit more natural position for him tonight. I thought even in the moments where we weren't able to find him early on in the game, and he wasn't having a whole lot of the ball in the first half, he came to life as the game progressed. Both sides of the ball he was willing to run forward, run in behind consistently and then his recoveries to help us defensively I thought were very consistent over the course of the 90, 120. And that's what we're looking for him from him. And I think if he puts out performances like that consistently from training, leading into the games, there'll be minutes for him.”
On advancing in the tournament
“It's tournament play, you got to find a way to win a game, and we were able to do that tonight. Certainly you want to do it in a certain way, which I think as the game progressed, we found more ideas and more objectives that we were looking for, in how we went about winning the game. But you said it, these games are very difficult, again, credit to Pittsburgh, that's a good team. They're well coached, they're well organized. And so we knew from the beginning that it was going to be a tough, tough evening. The chance creation might not be there. We have to be patient and wait for our moments and I thought we did find those moments later in the second half. As far as our best looks, but we just didn't execute on those plays. But it's nice to see some of the players out there tonight go about it in a very professional way and getting a deserved win. So very pleased that we're advancing in the competition.”
FC Cincinnati midfielder Álvaro Barreal
Translated from Spanish
On his performance
“I’m happy to be back playing my natural position, happy to be back playing. I tried to do my best and work hard in that position against Charlotte, playing in a role that wasn’t mine. I’m happy to be back in my natural position, happy to win, and happy for the two goals.”
On his brace
“I needed it. Luckily, I’ve been able to get back on the pitch and I was able to score two goals tonight. It’s been a while without a goal, a while without playing. I hope this is the beginning of a new season in the best way.”
On the fans
“A massive thank you to the fans that came out today, thanks for your support today. We needed it a lot, and it helped us find victory.”
FC Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano
On earning his first start after making the squad in Atlanta
“It's been kind of like a whirlwind. Just like stepping up to be on the bench of the first team in Atlanta. It was an opportunity for me just to go out there and experience what a game day is like. So I thought it was a great experience for me just being in around the guys with the first team and then today, it was just a great, great experience again, I just was thankful for the opportunity to go out and play for you know, FCCS first team I think I'm just proud of the boys and proud of myself, probably known for being my family. I'm just happy to be here and happy to help the team out.”
On his first start
“Obviously, I was very excited. That's the first time at TQL Stadium for me and just playing the game. It's just with the fans and everything, I was a little nervous, not going to lie, the first few minutes. But after touching the ball a couple of times I just got into it and I was just excited to be out there and I felt good. Felt feel happy to be there.”
FC Cincinnati's 2022 schedule can be viewed, HERE. Fans can get the best tickets at the best price to the best matches all season long by purchasing season tickets at fccincinnati.com/tickets or by calling 513-977-KICK, that’s 513-977-5425.
Fans can also purchase half-season ticket packages and single match tickets to any of FC Cincinnati’s remaining home games are available now.
FC Cincinnati is in their fourth season of MLS competition in 2022, and their second playing at TQL Stadium. For up-to-the-minute information about FC Cincinnati, visit the team’s official website at fccincinnati.com, or follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @FCCincinnati. Additionally, fans are encouraged to download the team’s official mobile app on the Apple App Store or Google Play for instant access to mobile tickets, team content and match notifications.
