FC Cincinnati completed a season sweep of Chicago Fire FC with a 2-1 win Saturday in front of a sellout crowd of 25,513 at TQL Stadium.
The Orange and Blue, winners of four straight matches, improved to 13-5-3 (42 points) with the win. Chicago fell to 8-8-4 (28 points). With the victory and dropped points from Philadelphia Union, FC Cincinnati moved into first place in the Eastern Conference.
Evander gave Cincinnati the lead in the 19th minute as he netted his 12th MLS goal of the season. The Brazilian has scored in three consecutive matches for the Orange and Blue. The All-Star midfielder later dished an assist to Kévin Denkey – for his 12th of the season – on a second half counter attack goal in the 50th minute. The connection marked the fourth time this season the duo has connected for a goal.
Philip Zinckernagel scored for the visitors in the 55th minute but Cincinnati would hold on for a 2-1 win to improve to 6-1-2 in league play at TQL Stadium.
The Orange and Blue return home to TQL Stadium next Saturday, July 12 to take on the Columbus Crew in the Hell is Real Derby. Fans are encouraged to wear orange and limited tickets are still available at FCCincinnati.com/Tickets or by calling 513-977-KICK.
AS IT HAPPENED
CIN: Evander, GOAL – 19’ (1-0) – Patient build up play from FC Cincinnati saw Luca Orellano reverse field to Evander, who chested down control and began the final move in on goal down the right side of the Chicago half. An overlapping run from DeAndre Yedlin kept Andrew Gutman from stepping to Evander, and a long-distance strike from the midfielder found the back of the net as it curled away from a diving Jeffrey Gal, who could not punch the attempt away.
CIN: Kévin Denkey, GOAL – 50’ (2-0) – Quick passes exchanged between Evander and Kei Kamara near the midfield line unlocked space down the right for Evander to move into. Jack Elliott attempted to recover and stop Evander’s move, but Evander eyed Kévin Denkey making a run into the box and, with a perfect pass, picked out Denkey who was first to the ball finishing first time past Gal who was caught coming out to make a play.
CHI: Philip Zinckernagel, GOAL – 55’ (2-1) – The visitors pulled one back as Andrew Gutman sent a cross from wide into the box which missed the initial defense as Philip Zinckernagel tucked home a left footed shot.
GAME NOTES
- FC Cincinnati swept Chicago Fire FC for the first time in a single season, improving to 7-4-3 in MLS play all time against the Fire.
- FC Cincinnati have stacked four+ wins in a row for the second time this season (March 29 – April 26 at NSH, vs NE, at DC, at CHI, vs SKC).
- Per Sportec Solutions, Evander’s goal was his seventh this season scored from outside the penalty area. He has scored 15 from outside the 18-yard box since the start of the 2023 season, seven more than any other player in MLS over that span.
- Evander scored in his third straight match, matching his season-long streak (March 22 – April 19 vs ATL, at NSH, at CHI).
- Kévin Denkey kept pace with Evander’s team-lead of 12 goals, 14 in all competitions.
- With his assist of Denkey’s goal, Evander recorded his eighth game this season of multiple goal contributions.
- With his secondary assist, Kei Kamara recorded his first goal contribution with FC Cincinnati.
- Saturday marked the fourth FC Cincinnati sellout of TQL Stadium this season, the 42nd all time.
FC CINCINNATI GAME REPORT
FC Cincinnati vs Chicago Fire FC
Date: July 5, 2025
Competition: MLS Regular Season
Venue: TQL Stadium | Cincinnati, Ohio
Attendance: 25,513 (sellout)
Kickoff: 7:40 p.m. ET
Weather: 88 degrees, clear
SCORING SUMMARY: 1-2-FT
CIN: 1-1-2
CHI: 0-1-1
CIN – Evander (Orellano) 19’, Kévin Denkey (Evander, Kamara) 50’
CHI – Philip Zinckernagel (Gutman, Bamba) 55’
LINEUPS
CIN: Roman Celentano, Luca Orellano (Brad Smith 73’), Lukas Engel, Matt Miazga (C), Alvas Powell, DeAndre Yedlin, Tah Brian Anunga, Pavel Bucha, Evander (Teenage Hadebe 90’), Kei Kamara (Gerardo Valenzuela 68’), Kévin Denkey (Corey Baird 90’)
Substitutes not used: Evan Louro, Paul Walters, Stefan Chirila, Kenji Mboma Dem, Stiven Jimenez
Head Coach: Pat Noonan
CHI: Jeffrey Gal, Andrew Gutman, Jack Elliott (C), Sam Rogers, Leonardo Barroso (Johnny Dean 73’), Philip Zinckernagel (Sam Williams 90’+4), Brian Gutiérrez (Maren Haile-Selassie 73’), Jonathan Bamba (Omari Glasgow 83’), Mauricio Pineda, Sergio Oregel Jr. (Tom Barlow 83’), Hugo Cuypers
Substitutes not used: Bryan Dowd, Omar Gonzalez, Dje D’Avilla, Chase Gasper
Head Coach: Gregg Berhalter
STATS SUMMARY: CIN/CHI
Shots: 13 / 14
Shots on Goal: 4 / 5
Saves: 4 / 2
Corner Kicks: 1 / 10
Fouls: 8 / 13
Offside: 3 / 2
Possession: 52 / 48
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
CIN – Kei Kamara (Yellow Card) 53’
CHI – Jonathan Bamba (Yellow Card) 76’
CIN – Matt Miazga (Yellow Card) 83’
CHI – Jack Elliott (Yellow Card) 90’+7
OFFICIALS
Referee: Pierre-Luc Lauziere
Ast. Referees: Eric Weisbrod, Gerard-Kader Lebuis
Fourth Official: Nabil Bensalah
VAR: Carol Anne Chenard
AVAR: Craig Lowry
