ROCHESTER, NY --- FC Cincinnati’s four-match win streak ended with a 1-0 loss to Rochester Rhinos on a second-half goal by Brandon Kamden Fewo Sat. evening. The decision dropped FCC to 1-4-1 on the road (4-5-3 overall) while the Rhinos remain unbeaten at Capelli Sport Stadium with a 3-0-2 (4-1-3 overall) record.
“We made wholesale changes tonight as it was our sixth match in 21 days. We had to preserve some players and it was an opportunity to give others that have been working hard their chance,” said Head Coach Alan Koch. “Rochester is one of the toughest places in the league to go and earn points and unfortunately tonight we did not achieve our goal. We look forward to regrouping this week and getting ready for Charlotte.”
Fewo, who had been a substitution for the injured Rayane Boukemia in the first half, scored in the 65th minute after receiving the ball on the left flank and taking a shot from outside the box that beat Dallas Jaye in the lower right corner.
The Rhinos, known to be a strong defending team, held the offensive advantage in shots 10-6, including limiting FCC to one shot in the first half.
Rochester nearly had goals in the early part of both periods. In the sixth minute, Jaye was unable to handle the short hop on a looping volley and the ball got past the goalie. Wal Fall caught up with the ball on the end line and found Jochen Graf, who pushed the ball into the back of the net, but was ruled offside.
Jaye was involved in another closer encounter in the 16th minute when he came out to meet a ball out of the box. His clearance was blocked by Graf but the ball traveled to the end line, enabling Jaye to recover and the Rhinos would not be able to create a shot opportunity.
Fall pushed forward for the Rhinos in the 36th minute, taking a shot from outside of the box but sent it high. Brandon Beresford also had a look at the goal in the 40th minute, firing a shot from 25-yards out that got past a diving Jaye, but squirted just wide of the right goal post.
FCC earned three corners late in the period was unable to capitalize on the set pieces.
Early in the second half, the Rhinos looked poised grab the lead as Jordan Dover beat two FCC defenders and slotted a pass to Kenardo Forbes at the top of the box. Forbes took the shot and Graf deflected the ball towards the goal but came up empty as the ball bounced off the post.
FCC had five shots in the second half with two on target. A turnover by the Rhinos led to FCC’s first shot on goal with Kenney Walker challenging Gomez but was denied as Gomez knocked down the shot for the save.
The Rhinos continued to be dangerous on the offensive end. In the 54th minute, Graf ran to meet a cross by Forbes on the far post and found himself alone but was unable bring down the ball and lifted it out of bounds.
Josu made his FCC debut, entering off the bench in the 74th minute and had one shot on goal.
FCC returns to Nippert Stadium to take on Charlotte independence, Sat., Jun. 10 at 7:00 p.m.
Goal Summary:
ROC: 65th - Brandon Kamden Fewo (Kenardo Forbes)
Starting lineups
FCC: Dallas Jaye, Pat McMahon, Paul Nicholson, Garrett Halfhill, Tyler Polak, Marco Dominguez, Kenney Walker, Daryl Fordyce, Victor Mansaray, Andrew Wiedeman, Danni Konig
ROC: Tomas Gomez, Ryan James, Joe Farrell, Ryan Felix, Jordan Dover, Stefan Defregger, Wal Fall, Brandon aaBeresford, Kenardo Forbes, Rayane Boukemia, Jochen Graf
