MLS – Charlotte vs Cincinnati: FC Cincinnati made their first trip to the Bank of America Stadium on Saturday for an MLS fixture. The hosts Charlotte FC who are competing in their first-ever MLS fixture were the better team throughout the contest.
Karol Swiderski got on the score sheet early in the fixture. He later completed a brace in the 55th minute. Those two goals were enough for Mint City to register their second win of the campaign through a 2-0 scoreline.
MLS – Charlotte vs Cincinnati: Match report
Full-time score: Charlotte 2-0 Cincinnati
Charlotte: Kristijan Kahlina, Guzman Corujo, Christian Fuchs (C), Jaylin Lindsey, Joseph Mora, Sergio Ruiz (Cristian Ortiz 74’), Jordy Alcivar (Harrison Afful 90’+2), Ben Bender, Derrick Jones (Brandt Bronico 74’), Karol Swiderski (Anton Walkes 90’+2), Daniel Rios (Yordy Reyna 86’).
Scorer: Karol Swiderski 6’, 55’.
Cincinnati: Alec Kann, Álvaro Barreal (Brenner 59’), Tyler Blackett, Geoff Cameron, Nick Hagglund, Alvas Powell (Ray Gaddis 59’), Junior Moreno (Haris Medunjanin 78’), Yuya Kubo (Allan Cruz 83’), Luciano Acosta (C), Brandon Vazquez, Dominique Badji (Nick Markanich 83’).
Bookings: Geoff Cameron, Dominique Badji.
Post-match reaction
Cincinnati coach, Pat Noonan: “That’s a disappointing result. I think there was at least a point there for us. First half, it comes down to really, they finish their chance we missed our two chances to get into halftime level. And then, on the second half, I think our energy and our willingness to attack with speed and look to get in behind and attack with numbers in the box wasn’t there tonight. Even in moments where we had time and space on the ball, I just don’t think our movement to goal was efficient enough. And looking to put them under consistent pressure. Credit to the player for making a play on the free kick. That’s a great shot from the view that I saw, but overall disappointing result.
“We worked on during the week, having a front three of Brenner on the left with Dom on the right in Brandon central. It was something that we saw some good outcomes from, as far as our chance creation, and at that point you’re trailing down 2-0. So we’re looking to get some attackers on the field and be a little bit more aggressive. We were hoping to get him isolated and running at their backline which we weren’t able to do enough. And then Nick Markanich coming in and his role was on the right side. And I think Brandon shifted over there at times, but Brandon was central with Brenner on the left and Nick on the right. So that was the intention there. It was scoreline and trying to get attacking threats on the field.”
