FC Cincinnati Draws with Sporting Kansas City in Leagues Cup Opener
In a thrilling match, FC Cincinnati managed to salvage a tie against Sporting Kansas City in their opening group-stage match of the 2023 Leagues Cup. The game ended 3-3, and FC Cincinnati claimed an additional point by winning a penalty-kick shootout, securing a second point in the group standings.
Despite a challenging night for FC Cincinnati, the team showed resilience by staging comebacks to force the shootout. The collective effort of the club paid off as they garnered an extra point, taking them to the top of the “Central 3” group after the first match day.
Kansas City took an early lead, scoring two goals by the 12th minute. However, their advantage was hindered when they were reduced to 10 players after Alan Pulido received a red card in the 29th minute. FC Cincinnati managed to equalize the score at 2-2 in the second half, only to concede a penalty kick due to a handball in their defensive penalty area. Gizacho Kinda converted the penalty, putting Kansas City back in the lead.
FC Cincinnati fought hard and Brandon Vazquez scored the equalizer in the 56th minute with a close-range goal assisted by Luciano Acosta. Acosta later scored from the penalty spot in added time, leveling the score at 3-3 and sending the match into a penalty-kick shootout.
Goalkeeper Alec Kann became the hero for FC Cincinnati in the shootout, making key saves to secure victory. The final result was 4-2 in favor of FC Cincinnati, clinching an important point in the Leagues Cup.
Both teams showed incredible determination throughout the game, with Kansas City earning a valuable point despite playing with only 10 men for most of the match.
The Leagues Cup continues to be an exciting tournament, showcasing the talent and resilience of teams from different MLS clubs. FC Cincinnati’s performance in their opening match bodes well for their future matches in the tournament.
Next, FC Cincinnati will face off against other formidable opponents in Group Central 3 as they aim to secure a spot in the knockout stages of the Leagues Cup. The team’s collective mettle and impressive shootout win have set a strong foundation for their campaign in the tournament.
Stay tuned for more updates on FC Cincinnati’s journey in the Leagues Cup.