FC Cincinnati earned a dramatic, late 2-1 win Wednesday night over New York City FC. Evander’s 90’+1 goal sealed three points for the Orange and Blue in their first win over NYCFC since 2024.
FC Cincinnati improve to 8-6-6 (30 points) and move up to fifth in the Eastern Conference standings. NYCFC fell to 7-8-5 (26 points), remaining in seventh in the East.
FC Cincinnati scored early, in the 11th minute, when an Evander through ball created an opportunity for Kenji Mboma Dem to capitalize. Mboma Dem’s goal was his fifth in MLS play and ninth in all competitions this season. NYCFC equalized just 10 minutes later, with Luighi tallying in the 21st minute.
A draw was in the making until a game-winning, stoppage time goal from Evander in the 90’+1 put Cincinnati ahead. Pavel Bucha and Gerardo Valenzuela set up Evander’s spin-around goal with key passes. The Brazilian now has a league-leading 23 goal contributions this season.
Roman Celentano finished the evening with seven saves.
The Orange and Blue stay home and host Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday, August 22 at TQL Stadium. Tickets are available at FCCincinnati.com/Tickets or by calling 513-977-KICK and the match airs globally on Apple TV and over the radio locally in English on iHeart Media Fox Sports 1360 and Spanish on La Mega 101.5 FM.
AS IT HAPPENED
CIN: Kenji Mboma Dem, GOAL – 11’ (1-0) – Evander buzzed a long pass from the midfield to guide Kévin Denkey into the goal box. The ball skirted out of a crowded box to a trailing Kenji Mboma Dem, who beat out an NYC defender sliding. The former Dayton Flyer used his left foot to shelf the ball into the goal.
NYC: Luighi, GOAL – 21’ (1-1) – The Pigeons’ far side attack developed with passes from Agustín Ojeda and Nicolás Fernández. Ojeda quickly centered the ball for an awaiting Luighi to finish the attack.
CIN: Evander, GOAL – 90’+1 (2-1) – A methodical stoppage time attack begun with Miles Robinson in the attacking third with a pass to Pavel Bucha. Bucha used two touches to pass to an awaiting Gerardo Valenzuela who redirected the ball to Evander inside the goal box. The Brazilian spun around creating space for a left-footed laser between two NYC defenders.
GAME NOTES
- FC Cincinnati have won four consecutive MLS home matches, the club’s longest home win streak since the club-record 10 match home win streak in 2023. The Orange and Blue are 7-2-1 in MLS play at TQL Stadium this year.
- Evander scored his fourth-career stoppage time goal for FC Cincinnati. Three of those have been game-winners, both of which are the most by any player in club history.
- Evander’s three MLS game-winning goals this season are tied for the team high (Kévin Denkey).
- Evander tallied his league-leading 23rd goal contribution with the stoppage time goal.
- Pavel Bucha recorded his 20th career assist for FC Cincinnati, two shy of Emmanuel Ledesma (22) for fourth-most in club history in all competitions.
- FC Cincinnati’s 17 goals scored from the 75th minute onwards are the most in MLS.
- Wednesday marked FC Cincinnati’s third stoppage-time game-winning goal of 2026 (March 22 vs MTL; May 2 at CHI). The three game-winners are the most in a single season in club history.
- Obinna Nwobodo made his 150th appearance for FC Cincinnati on Wednesday, becoming the sixth player in club history to reach the milestone (Kubo, Hagglund, Celentano, Powell, Acosta).
- The club improves to 4-1-1 on Wednesdays this season and 22-6-8 under Head Coach Pat Noonan.
- FC Cincinnati are 8-3-3 when scoring first this season in all competitions.
FC CINCINNATI GAME REPORT
FC Cincinnati vs New York City FC
Date: August 19, 2026
Competition: MLS Regular Season
Venue: TQL Stadium | Cincinnati, Ohio
Attendance: 23,317
Kickoff: 7:40 p.m. ET
Weather: 78 degrees, rain
SCORING SUMMARY: 1-2-FT
CIN: 1-1-2
NYC: 1-0-1
CIN – Kenji Mboma Dem 11’, Evander (Valenzuela, Bucha) 90’+1
NYC – Luighi (Ojeda, Fernández) 21’
LINEUPS
CIN: Roman Celentano, Ender Echenique (Bryan Ramirez 60’), Kyle Smith (Tah Brian Anunga 83’), Matt Miazga (Teenage Hadebe 60’), Miles Robinson, Pavel Bucha, Obinna Nwobodo (Samuel Gidi 72’), Gerardo Valenzuela, Evander (C), Kenji Mboma Dem, Kévin Denkey (Tom Barlow 72’)
Substitutes not used: Evan Louro, Alvas Powell, Nick Hagglund, Ayoub Jabbari
Head Coach: Pat Noonan
NYC: Matt Freese, Kevin O’Toole (Nico Cavallo 75’), James Sands, Raul Gustavo, Tayvon Gray, Bénie Traoré (Malachi Jones 64’), Nicolás Fernández, Andrés Perea, Keaton Parks (Jonathan Shore 75’), Agustín Ojeda (Talles Magno 81’), Luighi (Seymour Reid 64’)
Substitutes not used: Tomás Romero, Kevin Pierre, Max Murray, Mitja Ilenic
Head Coach: Pascal Jansen
STATS SUMMARY: CIN/NYC
Shots: 14 / 16
Shots on Goal: 7 / 8
Saves: 7 / 5
Corner Kicks: 2 / 5
Fouls: 11 / 9
Offside: 1 / 0
Possession: 54.7 / 45.3
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
CIN – Matt Miazga (Yellow Card) 33’
NYC – Keaton Parks (Yellow Card) 36’
CIN – Obinna Nwobodo (Yellow Card) 50’
NYC – Luighi (Yellow Card) 55’
NYC – Nicolás Fernández (Yellow Card) 74’
CIN – Samuel Gidi (Yellow Card) 82’
OFFICIALS
Referee: Fotis Bazakos
Ast. Referees: Cory Richardson, Andrew Bigelow
Fourth Official: Atahan Yaya
VAR: Michael Radchuk
AVAR: Cameron Blanchard
