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S10 E11 Jersey Swap – Chicago Fire – Alex Campbell from CHGO Fire Podcast

Geoff Tebbetts — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 00:40:20 +0000

With Gregg Berhalter’s return to the MLS ranks as head coach, the Chicago Fire have returned to the front page. However, that just means a team FC Cincinnati beat in the 2017 U.S. Open Cup is now helmed by the coach of a team FC Cincinnati beat in the 2017 U.S. Open Cup. It’s an interesting bit of information.

However, Chicago has also fortified their roster with bigger offensive weapons. Could a certain midfielder from Manchester City follow soon after? Can the defense solidify and turn draws into wins? How should we analyze the clean sheet against Messi and Miami last weekend?

We ask Alex from the CHGO Fire Podcast to join us and give us pointers from his substack. (Smartly, no Malört was consumed in this episode.)

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S10 E10 Jersey Swap – D.C. United – José & Mario from The Bad Hombres FC Podcast

Geoff Tebbetts — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 00:04:51 +0000

The cherry blossoms are gone at the nation’s capital, but hardly forgotten. The memories of D.C. United’s bad loss to San Jose also have not faded from the District. However, FC Cincinnati fans can attest to the fact that bad losses could be followed by great wins.

The two teams clash at Audi Field this weekend, so we invited José Umaña and Mario Amaya (no relation to Frankie) from The Bad Hombres FC Podcast to talk about how head coach Troy Lesesne is directing traffic. Yes, Christian Benteke is a force to be reckoned, but who else should the Orange & Blue watch for? Have the Black & Red resolved their defensive woes from last season?

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S10 E9 Jersey Swap – New England Revolution – Thomas Pinzone from Revolution Recap

Geoff Tebbetts — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 01:02:57 +0000

Both FC Cincinnati and New England Revolution rode a set piece and a late penalty kick to capture 2-1 victories last week. Both teams needed wins to flip momentum in their seasons. However, while the Orange & Blue used a scalpel to refine their roster in the offseason, the Revs opted for a machete. Head coach Caleb Porter has almost flipped the full squad, but results have been scant to start the season.

We asked Thomas from Revolution Recap about the changes in the offseason and the confidence the fans may have in Porter’s system. When does the panic button come into play, especially with some key parts still missing? While we’re at it, how hot in the Northeast this season in the lower leagues?

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S10 E8 Jersey Swap – Nashville SC – Tim Sullivan from Club & Country

Geoff Tebbetts — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 00:36:04 +0000

It should be labeled a “derby” by all definitions. The distance between the Music City and Queen City remains quite drivable. However, the average FC Cincinnati fan and average Nashville SC fan probably wouldn’t admit that the other is a rival. There’s still no solid point of contention between both squads.

The trend in both squads to start the season may indicate a much closer rivalry in 2025. While the Orange & Blue have started lukewarm, the “Boys in Gold” to the south are on a hot streak. Before Saturday’s matchup, we talk with Tim from the Club & Country podcast to see just how well new head coach B.J. Callaghan is cooking with his retooled roster.

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S10 E7 Jersey Swap – Atlanta United – Jason Longshore from Soccer Down Here

Geoff Tebbetts — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 00:23:31 +0000

As much as it appears the sky is falling for FC Cincinnati, that comes from intense pressure and high expectations. The Orange & Blue’s next opponents, Atlanta United, are also under the microscope from a rough first month after a massive offseason. It doesn’t help that both squads are depleted from injury and international duties.

We talk with Jason from Soccer Down Here and his work at 92.9 The Game to read the temperature before Saturday’s match. Where do the Five Stripes stand after Miami gained an ounce of revenge last Sunday? How complete is Atlanta with so many players heading to World Cup qualifiers?

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S10 E6 Jersey Swap – Charlotte FC – Anna Witte, Color Analyst

Geoff Tebbetts — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 01:05:42 +0000

For three years, fans of FC Cincinnati and Charlotte FC have disputed which is the true “Queen City”. However, that may be where the differences end. Head-to-head results have not resolved anything—both teams have two wins over the other, and both have retooled their attacks and fortified their defenses in order to challenge the beasts of the East.

We know of the big addition of Wilfried Zaha atop the attack, but how else has head coach Dean Smith polished the Crown? Can the defense replicate their conference-best performance from 2024? What have the first three matches said about the state of CFC? We talk with Anna about the sea change in the Tar Heel State and Charlotte’s progression towards the top.

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S10 E5 Jersey Swap – Toronto FC – Jeffrey Nesker from Toronto Til I Die

Geoff Tebbetts — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 02:10:29 +0000

As much as FC Cincinnati’s fortunes have flipped from bad to better, the times in Toronto have become difficult. It’s been over a calendar year since the Reds from Canada came to visit the Orange & Blue, and it’s been over three years since Toronto FC have won over Cincinnati. Can the team from La Ville-Reine—the “Queen City” of Canada—find their footing under a new coach?

We talk with Jeffrey from the “Toronto Til I Die” podcast to get his thoughts on Toronto’s chances. With a fairly unchanged roster bogged down by an expensive anchor of a contract, how does he feel Saturday’s match will go? Does this hotel have a high top floor, or is down the only way on this elevator?

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CST Episode 405 – FC Cincinnati advances to the CCC Round of 16

Brian Biedenbach — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 18:16:46 +0000

Highlights from this week’s show.

Though the match ended in a 1-1 draw, FC Cincinnati advanced on an aggregate score of 5-2 and will now play in the round of 16 in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

In episode 405 of Cincinnati Soccer Talk Justin, Brian and Josh discuss the rotation in the line-up, how the new players performed and what FCC is up against when Tigres come to town.

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S10 E4 Jersey Swap – Philadelphia Union – JP Zapata

Geoff Tebbetts — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 03:32:36 +0000

Since the dawn of Pat Noonan’s tenure, the “Master vs. Student” showdown has fueled the matchup between Cincinnati and Philadelphia. But time marches on—Jim Curtin has left, and Noonan has finally become the teacher. What has become of the Union, now that the coaching carousel has come to town?

For this sparring session, we bring in JP Zapata, “El Parcero Philly” himself, to tap gloves between Big Brother and Little Brother. This time around, the roles may be reversed with FC Cincinnati as the prizefighter, but if Philadelphia’s win over Orlando says anything, the Union still have a puncher’s chance. (After all, we saw what the Birds did to Kansas City!)

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Cincinnati Chilly: FC Cincinnati fends off New York Red Bulls in cold home opener, 1-0

Geoff Tebbetts — Sun, 23 Feb 2025 14:37:45 +0000

FC Cincinnati started the 2025 season with a solid defensive effort against New York Red Bulls, winning 1-0 in their home opener. After experiencing some first-half rust against New York, FCC shook off the cobwebs and capitalized on Kevin Denkey’s first MLS goal to start the season right.

“Happy that the guys could find a goal and see the game out, but in a lot of ways what you expect,” head coach Pat Noonan mentioned afterwards. “New York made it very difficult on us and the ability to move the ball quickly was challenged tonight for both teams with just the dry surface, which is unfortunate just because of the temperatures, not be able to wet the field. But that’s part of it. You have to deal with the elements, and I thought the guys adjusted in a good way.”

The Orange & Blue (1-0-0, 3 pts.) entered the main MLS season after a 4-1 win on the road against FC Motagua in Honduras that started their CONCACAF Champions Cup quest. In that game, Pavel Bucha’s brace pushed FCC to victory, while debutantes Evander and Denkey scored their first official goals for Cincinnati.

FCC came into the coldest match ever at TQL Stadium with a surprising list of injuries. Matt Miazga (leg), Nick Hagglund (ankle), and Alec Kann (hip) are still working towards full health after their season-ending injuries from last year. Meanwhile, Luca Orellano, Sergio Santos, and Dado Valenzuela were all shelved due to leg issues.

Despite their loss to the LA Galaxy in the 2024 MLS Cup final, the Red Bulls (0-0-1, 0 pts.) came into their debut match without any CCC participation. However, New York also had their laundry list of injury concerns. New U22 transfer Wictor Bogacz sat with a back issue, while multiple bench players were rested due to knee injuries.

First Half

Cincinnati dictated much of the possession in the first 20 minutes, while New York opted to wait for chances. The Orange & Blue’s first legitimate chance came in the 16th minute when Denkey’s shot atop the box clanked off the post, only for the offside flag to fly.

As play slowed during the next 20 minutes, the Red Bulls had their own chances clang off the woodwork. During a scrum in the Cincinnati box, forward Lewis Morgan attempted a shot while on his side in the 41st minute, only for the FCC defense to clog the goal. Emil Forsberg’s follow-up hit off the top of the goal, but play was flagged due to Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting playing in an offside position.

The first half ended with Cincinnati’s best chance in extra time. Evander and DeAndre Yedlin played a give-and-go in the box, only for the final shot from Pavel Bucha to be blocked. The whistle at halftime kept the score blank.

Possession was primarily split between both teams, but New York enjoyed more of the attack with six shots to Cincinnati’s one. Neither team had an effort on goal that counted.

Second Half

The firm halftime reset gave the Orange & Blue solid opportunities. Both Yuya Kubo and DeAndre Yedlin had opportunities on the same pass from Lukas Engel in the 56th minute, only to be a step behind in their sliding efforts.

The deciding goal came from distance in the 70th minute. Yedlin played a long pass from midfield to the New York box, allowing Denkey to beat his defender. The new Togolese striker played the high bounce and popped a header past goalkeeper Carlos Coronel for the game’s first and only goal.

“It was that time and space, and we locked eyes,” Yedlin said about the goal after the match. “[Denkey] is obviously quick and good at getting behind. We took that opportunity, especially on the dry field, and it makes it tough on the defense. Fortunately, it was a goal, and we got the win.”

Noonan admitted he missed the lead-up to the goal but spoke well on Denkey’s play. “You can see there are moments where, even when [Kevin’s] up against a physical center back or he has a midfielder closing in on him or he’s getting doubled, he has great footwork to get out of that pressure. That’s the difference of a transition moment and us defending or us moving up into the attack.

“There’s a lot more out there for him, and that’s pretty scary because he’s got a couple goals in the last two games, and he’s done a lot of good things. He knows he can be better, and that’s a good thing.”

Much of the second half saw Cincinnati locking into a solid defensive mode, but the team almost put the game away completely minutes later. In the 78th minute, Denkey fed a streaking Engel in the box, but the Danish left back’s shot just missed the left post.

New York’s best effort to equalize came off a Choupo-Moting shot outside the box in the 82nd minute, only for Roman Celentano to easily handle the attempt. Celentano made three saves for his 29th clean sheet of his MLS career.

“It wasn’t the easiest condition out there,” Celentano mentioned after the match. “Cold and dry field, all of these excuses—we could have come out here flat-footed, but I think we had a great mindset coming in, thinking that we needed to battle for these balls and find a way to get a goal, and these guys did. I’m proud of the group, and I think we have a lot to prove this year.”

FC Cincinnati quickly turn their attention towards finishing the home leg for the CONCACAF Champions Cup matchup against FC Motagua this Wednesday. The Red Bulls head back to New Jersey for their home opener against Nashville SC on Saturday.

Match #1

FC Cincinnati vs. New York Red Bulls
TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
Attendance: 22,747
Result: FC Cincinnati 1, New York Red Bulls 0

BOX SCORE

FC Cincinnati Starting XI (5-2-2-1):

Roman Celentano (GK); DeAndre Yedlin, Gilberto Flores (Alvas Powel 85′), Miles Robinson (c), Teenage Hadebe, Lukas Engel; Pavel Bucha (Stefan Chirila 90+5′), Obinna Nwobodo; Evander (Brian Anunga 72′); Yuya Kubo (Corey Baird 72′); Kevin Denkey.

Bench: Evan Louro, Bret Halsey, Noah Adnan, Stiven Jimenez.

New York Red Bulls Starting XI (4-4-2):

Carlos Coronel (GK); Noah Elie, Sean Nealis, Alexander Hack (Julain Hall 79′), Omar Valencia; Cameron Harper, Daniel Edelman (Wikelman Carmona 84′), Peter Stroud (Felipe Carballo 79′), Emil Forsberg (c); Eric Maxim Choup-Moting, Lewis Morgan.

Bench: Anthony Macucci, Dylan Nealis, Dennis Gjengaar, Tim Parker, Mohammed Sofo, Raheem Edwards.

Scoring Summary:

CIN – Kevin Denkey 70′ (Yedlin)

Discipline:

YC – Alexander Hack 59′ (RBNY, foul)
YC – Obinna Nwobodo 61’ (CIN, foul)
YC – Corey Baird 88′ (CIN, poor sportsmanship)

Next up:

vs. FC Motagua, 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, February 26th, TQL Stadium (Cincinnati, OH)

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