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USL-Record Crowd Sees FCC Down NYRB II

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 09/17/17, 12:33AM EDT

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30,417 fans on hand as Cincinnati takes first victory against Red Bulls II


Photo courtesy Brett Hansbauer / FC Cincinnati

CINCINNATI – A USL-record crowd of 30,417 fans saw FC Cincinnati take a big step toward a place in the 2017 USL Cup Playoffs on Saturday night with a 4-2 victory against the New York Red Bulls II at Nippert Stadium. Cincinnati took the lead in just the fifth minute as a near-post corner from the left by Kenney Walker was flicked home into the right corner of the net by Austin Berry. New York almost replied in the 17th minute when Andrew Tinari had a long-range effort tipped away by FCC goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt, but from the ensuing corner kick a low ball found Florian Valot for a first-time finish to level the score. Stefano Bonomo had a header go over the bar from the top of the six-yard area from a cross by Tinari on the half-hour mark as the visitors threatened again, but FCC’s Corben Bone fired home an excellent finish from 25 yards into the top-left corner of the net to restore Cincinnati’s lead in the 32nd minute. Harrison Delbridge then went close for FCC in first-half stoppage time, only for his header from a corner to go wide of the right post, and New York went close from a set piece early in the second half as Valot’s free header floated over the bar. The Red Bulls II’s Junior Flemmings then hit the crossbar with a rasping shot from 25 yards, and the Jamaican almost capitalized on a defensive mistake in the 58th minute only for Hildebrandt to make a big kick save with his right foot. Vincent Bezecourt was next to go close with a tight-angle shot from the left side that was saved, but Cincinnati added to its advantage in the 67th minute as Delbridge stepped up to join the attack and fired home an outstanding finish into the top-right corner of the net. Walker then added a fourth in the 72nd minute with another top-level finish with a free kick to the top-left corner for his first goal of the season, and while New York pulled a goal back with 10 minutes to go, it was unable to come all the way back as its six-game undefeated streak came to an end.

Scoring:
5’ – CIN – Austin Berry (Kenney Walker)
18’ – NY – Florian Valot (Vincent Bezecourt)
32’ – CIN – Corben Bone
67’ – CIN – Harrison Delbridge (Kenney Walker)
72’ – CIN – Kenney Walker
80’ – NY – Florian Valot (Dan Metzger)

Three Things That Matter:

  • 1. In front of a USL-record crowd of 30,417 fans for its home finale, Cincinnati knew that Saturday’s game was one it had to have to push forward toward a place in the USL Cup Playoffs. In an intensely-fought clash against a Red Bulls II side that had claimed victory in all three of the prior meetings between the teams the hosts came through in a big way. Getting a fast start through Austin Berry’s opener in the fifth minute, and a piledriver of a finish by fellow center back Harrison Delbridge, FCC’s victory ensured its playoff hopes are very much alive in another memorable night at Nippert Stadium.

  • 2. A week ago, Corben Bone was celebrating the birth of his son Brooks Marcus Bone. On Saturday night at Nippert Stadium his outstanding finish marked his birthday with one of the more memorable finishes of FC Cincinnati’s season. Bone’s quality has come through in different ways this season for FCC, including some good performances in the club’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup run, but his first goal in the USL was one to savor as it put the hosts back on top just past the half-hour mark.  

  • 3. New York played more than its part in the contest, and had chances to level the score before Delbridge strike midway through the second half, but bounces just wouldn’t fall the Red Bulls II’s way as Cincinnati goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt came up with one of his best performances of the season. Arguably the key moment of the game came just before the hour-mark, when a bad defensive mistake let Junior Flemmings in for a one-on-one chance, but Hildbrandt pulled off fine low save to keep his side ahead and paved the way to a big three points for the hosts.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Kenney Walker, FC Cincinnati – Walker notched a goal and two assists as his set piece delivery came through time and again for FCC in addition to a stellar midfield display.

Upcoming Games:
FC Cincinnati
at Saint Louis FC – September 23, 8:30 p.m. ET, Toyota Stadium – Saint Louis
New York Red Bulls II vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds – September 30, 4 p.m. ET, MSU Soccer Park

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