FC Cincinnati could not have asked for a better start to the month of September. Not only did they win a thriller against United Soccer League rival Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, but they also were the first team to punch their ticket to the USL Cup playoffs. The win also helped cushion their lead in the USL East standings. At the time that this post was written, FCC has a 13-point lead over second place Louisville City FC and a 14-point lead over the Riverhounds who sit in third. The September 1 victory was big for the club, but it did not come easy.
The first half featured unusually sloppy play from FCC as the offense had trouble getting anything going, and the Riverhounds took advantage. They fired off numerous shots but the defense, mainly goalkeeper Spencer Richey, was able to repel the Riverhounds' offensive attack. For FCC, Emanuel Ledesma's soft tapper was inches away from finding the back of net until a Riverhounds defender cleared the shot. Not to be outdone, Richey came up big and had some key saves that kept the sides even at 0-0 when the first half ended.
While defense reigned supreme in the first half, the second featured both teams' offenses finally breaking through. Despite sailing a penalty kick over the head of Richey early in the second half, the Riverhounds still managed to strike first when a shot got by Richey in the 57th minute to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. The score remained that way for a majority of the second half, and it looked like FCC's unbeaten streak was about to be broken. It wouldn't be until the final 10 minutes of regulation when FCC finally broke through the stingy Riverhounds defense.
Dekel Keinan headed in a free kick from Ledesma in the 80th minute to knot things up at 1-1 sending the crowd that packed Nippert Stadium into a frenzy. Eight minutes later, Fanendo Adi, the club's first player guaranteed a spot on next season's Major League Soccer roster, fought through two Riverhounds defenders and scored from just inside the 18 to give FCC a 2-1 lead. Nipper Stadium erupted as Adi ran toward Coach Alan Koch for a celebratory embrace that became an entire team group hug. The defense held during the final two minutes and through four minutes of stoppage time to give FCC a dramatic 2-1 win over the Riverhounds as well as a spot in the playoffs.
I was in attendance for the match, and I can honestly say it was one of the best sporting events I have ever witnessed in person. In terms of drama and thrilling action, it ranks right up there with the three 2017 Open Cup matches against MLS teams that emanated from Nippert Stadium. The win was a big one as it helped cushion FCC's lead in the standings. In terms of playoffs, it is the third consecutive year that the three-year-old franchise has qualified for postseason play. As exciting as a match that it was, FCC has to put it in the rear-view mirror as they have a tough road matchup against Louisville City this weekend. Hopefully they notch another win and continue to build momentum toward the playoffs.
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