FC Cincinnati's undefeated run came to an end Saturday night as LAFC secured a 2-1 victory at TQL Stadium in a hard-fought match. The game, played in front of 24,728 passionate fans braving the rain, marked Cincinnati’s first defeat in over a month. Despite a strong performance, the Orange and Blue couldn’t overcome the reigning U.S. Open Cup champions, LAFC.
The match kicked off at a brisk pace, but it was LAFC that struck first. In the 34th minute, David Martinez capitalized on a clever move initiated by Lewis O’Brien. Martinez’s deflected shot sailed past Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano, giving the visitors a 1-0 advantage. Cincinnati, known for their resilience, pressed hard but went into halftime trailing by one.
The home team found their spark in the second half. Luciano Acosta, ever the playmaker, delivered a perfectly placed pass to Luca Orellano in the 61st minute. Orellano, who’s been on fire lately, netted his third goal in as many matches, equalizing for Cincinnati. The stadium erupted as the home side looked poised to build on the momentum.
However, LAFC quickly regained control. Golden Boot winner Denis Bouanga sealed the game in the 73rd minute with a well-executed goal, taking advantage of a clever flick from Olivier Giroud. Bouanga’s tight-angle finish proved too much for Celentano, giving LAFC the lead once again—a lead they would not relinquish.
The stats tell the story of a closely contested match. Cincinnati dominated possession with 60%, but LAFC’s clinical finishing and solid defense kept the home side from capitalizing on their chances. Both teams registered six shots on target, but LAFC made theirs count in the critical moments.
Despite the defeat, FC Cincinnati continues to sit comfortably at the top of the Eastern Conference. Luca Orellano’s impressive form and Luciano Acosta’s consistency—now tied for the club’s all-time single-season goal contributions record—are bright spots as the team prepares for its next challenge against New York City FC.
Fans can look forward to FC Cincinnati’s return to TQL Stadium next Saturday for a highly anticipated Fan Appreciation night against Orlando City SC. With limited tickets remaining, the atmosphere is sure to be electric as the Orange and Blue aim to bounce back from this setback.
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Despite falling short, Cincinnati’s performance showed grit, and they’ll be eager to return to winning ways. Fans can catch their next game on October 2 at Red Bull Arena against New York City FC.
