CINCINNATI. OH – FC Cincinnati started both halves well. As a result, they have come up with another big win. They are now currently in an MLS Eastern Conference playoff spot and have also defeated TFC two times within one week.
FC Cincinnati started the game strong, resulting in a win at the TQL Stadium
Three keys to the game
Full Game Summary:#AllForCincy started the game well against #TheyWillSeeRed.#TFCLive’s Ralph Priso got a red card early in the game.#FCCincy was the better team in the second half and had the more dangerous scoring opportunities.#CINvTOR | 2-0 | #MLS
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) May 5, 2022
First half
2’ #AllForCincy strikes first! A very early goal was scored thanks to the speed and pass from Brandon Vázquez and the finish from Calvin Harris! #FCCincinnati#CINvTOR | 1-0 | #MLSpic.twitter.com/DFu7hHugz6
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) May 4, 2022
There were three mistakes on FC Cincinnati’s first goal as TSN commentator Steven Caldwell noted. First, was Lukas MacNaughton getting beat by Brandon Vasquez. Shane O’Neill also made the wrong decision and was not in front of Calvin Harris. Finally, the mistake made by TFC goalkeeper Alex Bono, who was out of position when Harris scored from very close range.
Luciano Acosta almost scored in the eighth minute of play. A really good run from Kosi Thompson created a corner for the team. A great cross came from FC Cincinnati’s Nick Hagglund, but no one was there to make the corner into a threatening scoring chance. Michael Bradley made a terrific pass to Kosi Thompson in the 25-minute.
Acosta had a terrific chance to score in the 28-minute, but his shot was off-target. Jesús Jiménez did a fantastic job creating a great scoring opportunity but was unable to get a good shot off from his weak left foot. Then, Kadin Chung made a terrific defensive play to stop Barreal from giving a dangerous pass into the box in the 38-minute.
Second half
57’ #AllForCincy’s Luciano Acosta converts the penalty and FC Cincinnati doubles their lead! #MajorLeagueSoccer#CINvTOR | 2-0 | #MLSpic.twitter.com/bNAGeOh68C
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) May 5, 2022
FC Cincinnati’s Álvaro Barreal drew a foul inside the box. He was fouled by TFC’s Kadin Chung, who did not get the ball when tackling Barreal in the 54-minute. This allowed Acosta the opportunity to double Cincinnati’s lead. He did that by converting the penalty and getting the shot past Toronto FC’s Alex Bono.
In the 78-minute, Luca Petrasso’s delivered a terrific pass to Ayo Akinola, whose strike was superbly stopped by FC Cincinnati’s goalkeeper Roman Celentano. Alex Bono almost made a costly mistake in the 85-minute. They almost gave a goal up to FC Cincinnati’s Brenner. Bono made an easy save from a weak shot from Cincinnati’s Brenner. Acosta’s shot in the 71-minute missed the net even though Bono was way in front of the goal. Barreal’s shot went above the net in the 90+3-minute of play.
Game Summary – FC Cincinnati started the game well, which resulted in a 2-0 win at TQL Stadium
Game Ends:@fccincinnati 2@TorontoFC 0#AllForCincy was the better team in the second half and they ended up winning at #TQLStadium. As a result, Cincinnati won two games within one week against #TFCLive.
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) May 5, 2022
FC Cincinnati was the better team in the game, especially in the second half. More importantly, though, was their start in the first half. A very early goal by Calvin Harris was scored. This was thanks to a great cross from Álvaro Barreal to Brandon Vázquez, who got past Lukas MacNaughton to give the ball to Harris for the goal.
Ralph Priso’s red card did possibly contribute to the result of the game. However, that is nothing to take away from Cincinnati. They took the momentum away from Toronto in the first half and FC Cincinnati was the better team in the second half. Both teams also have a short turnaround heading into the weekend. FC Cincinnati will face Minnesota United FC on Saturday, May. 7 at 8:00 p.m. ET at Allianz Field. This is while TFC will have an all-Canadian matchup with rivals Vancouver Whitecaps FC. That game will take place on Sunday, May. 8 at 4:00 p.m. ET at BC Place. The game will be televised nationally on TSN.
Three takeaways to the game:
Two wins in five days against Toronto for @fccincinnati. ✔️✔️ pic.twitter.com/Fsulm9wVIJ
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 5, 2022
Toronto FC needs to start games better. This has been mentioned by me in my podcast and in previous articles. TFC just cannot seem to find a way to start games well. This has played a major role in Toronto having the most goals conceded in the Eastern Conference. Yesterday, that led to a goal (almost two goals early in the game) and a red card.
Ralph Priso red card. Unfortunately, looking at it from a TFC perspective, it was a warranted red card. It was not malicious, but his tackle was above the FC Cincinnati player’s ankles. Those plays can sometimes lead to major injuries for the other team.
FC Cincinnati wins both games against Toronto FC. Following last Saturday’s win, FC Cincinnati won both games against Toronto FC including the game last Saturday. As a result, Cincinnati passes Toronto in the MLS Eastern Conference standings. Also, Cincinnati is now in an MLS playoff spot while TFC dropped three straight games (including one against New York City FC) and is now out of a playoff spot.
