Scoring the lone goal in a 4-1 defeat typically isn’t a feat to boast about. But then again, normally someone doesn’t produce a world-class strike on their debut and in their club’s first MLS match.
That was the case for Leo Bertone.
Soon after FC Cincinnati kicked off Saturday night’s match with Seattle Sounders FC, the club created one attacking opportunity and produced a potential “goal of the season” after 13 minutes.
Seattle failed to clear the ball atop its box and Sounders FC defender Chad Marshall skied his clearance. When the ball began dropping, Bertone ran forward and proceeded to unleash a piledriver into the side netting.
If Saturday’s biggest significance was Cincinnati playing in its inaugural MLS game, Bertone delivered a goal fit for the coming-out party.
“I knew there was only one player behind me so I could risk something,” Bertone said. “I went out and at the end, everything was good.”
Barring the estimated 1,000 traveling FC Cincinnati fans in the upper corner and throughout the stadium, CenturyLink Field was silenced. That stemmed partially from Seattle trailing against the run of play and partially from the beauty they just witnessed.
On the field, Bertone and his teammates ran to the corner. Captain and center back Kendall Waston slapped the midfielder twice, as if it was a dream.
“That was a fantastic goal,” FCC Head Coach Alan Koch said. “Those are the goals you dream of scoring, and unfortunately for him, it wasn’t a game-winner tonight.”
Instead, Seattle’s response was scoring four-unanswered goals.
Following Bertone’s volley — Cincinnati’s first shot as an MLS club — Sounders FC began to dominate possession and field position. Ultimately, Saturday night was a vicious introduction to the new league for the Orange and Blue.
As for the Swiss midfielder, the goal highlighted his potential brilliance and creativity. He nearly scored again in the second half on a 60th-minute free kick.
He joined FCC from Young Boys of the Super Swiss League. His last appearance for them was against Juventus in the Champions League. In a resume packed with proven quality, he showcased some in Seattle.
“At first I thought, ‘Oh, I’m late, I have to go to the ball and cancel the counter attack,’” Bertone said. “I thought I either take the ball or make foul. And then I stopped the counter attack and I was first to the ball. I had to shoot and then it was inside.”
