CINCINNATI – The Rochester Rhinos took a 3-2 victory against FC Cincinnati in front of 23,548 fans at Nippert Stadium on Saturday night to extend their undefeated streak to six games as Wal Fall scored twice from the penalty spot. The Rhinos took the lead in the 12th minute as a header in the penalty area by Sofiane Tergou deflected to Jochen Graf, and the forward fired low off the left post and in from 12 yards. The French midfielder almost added a second moments later as a well-worked corner was played out to Tergou for a curling shot from the top of the penalty area, but FCC goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt tipped over the bar. Cincinnati leveled just before the half-hour mark as Jimmy McLaughlin got onto a long ball by Kenney Walker and finished past advancing Rhinos goalkeeper Tomas Gomez for his second goal in as many games. FCC went close to taking the lead in the 34th minute as Corben Bone’s low shot was saved, but the hosts were then reduced to 10 men as Djiby Fall was sent off for his second yellow card in the 42nd minute. Rochester wasn’t able to produce much threat offensively with its man advantage for much of the second half, but with 12 minutes to go Wal Fall was brought down in the penalty area and awarded a penalty kick. Wal Fall sent Hildebrandt the wrong way with his shot to the right side of the net. Moment later, the Rhinos got another chance from the spot on a handball called on Kevin Schindler, and Wal Fall converted again. Cincinnati was awarded a penalty of its own with four minutes to go as the Rhinos were called for a handball in the penalty area, and Danni Konig converted into the right corner.

Scoring:
12’ – ROC – Jochen Graf
29’ – CIN – Jimmy McLaughlin (Kenney Walker)
78’ – ROC – Wal Fall (penalty)
82’ – ROC – Wal Fall (penalty)
86’ – CIN – Danni Konig (penalty)

• #CINvROC: Full Match and Opta Box Score

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. The Rhinos were aggressive early as they tried to get the crowd out of the game, and FCC on their heels, and it paid off with Jochen Graf’s fifth goal of the season and an early lead. The influence of Sofiane Tergou in the initial surge was key for Rochester, as his header led to Graf’s goal, and the French midfielder also went close with a good curling shot a few minutes later that forced a good save from FCC’s Mitch Hildebrandt. As with Harrisburg a week ago, the Rhinos were able to catch Cincinnati a little cold early. In this instance, the visitors made it pay off.

• 2. Cincinnati’s response to Rochester’s initial approach was to adjust its approach, but a weapon that has paid off regularly of late got the hosts back on level terms thanks to another precise ball by Kenney Walker. The central midfielder’s pass to find Jimmy McLaughlin produced a decision by Rhinos goalkeeper Tomas Gomez to come off his line to challenge that in retrospect he may look at as a mistake, but the way Walker can drop a pass of over 40 yards in over a defense forces those types of decisions for opposing defenses and goalkeepers, and is incredibly valuable as a result.

• 3. Despite being down to 10 men, Cincinnati’s organization was excellent throughout the second half as it offered the Rhinos few chances to take advantage of being up a man. When Wal Fall found a pocket of space just outside the right side of the penalty area, and was able to slip past his initial defender to get into the penalty area, only to be brought down, the Rhinos got the chance they needed to earn a big three points on the road. Fall’s conversion began a wild ending to the game, which saw the two sides exchange penalty kicks in the final 10 minutes. Now undefeated in six games, the Rhinos are now threatening to join the conversation for a top-four place at the end of the season.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Wal Fall, Rochester Rhinos – Fall converted twice from the penalty spot, in addition to putting together a good display in midfield as he won 6 of 8 duels, and completed 47 of 56 passes on the night.

Upcoming Games:
FC Cincinnati vs. Orlando City B – August 5, 7 p.m. ET, Nippert Stadium
Rochester Rhinos at New York Red Bulls II – August 5, 4 p.m. ET, MSU Soccer Park