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Cincinnati Celebrates ‘Something Truly Special’

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 08/03/17, 8:39AM EDT

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Open Cup Semifinals beckon after victory in Miami on Wednesday night


Photo courtesy FC Cincinnati

MIAMI – The smiles on the faces of FC Cincinnati’s players and Head Coach Alan Koch as they celebrated with a large contingent of travelling support at Riccardo Silva Stadium really said it all.

The smiles that lit up the night represented another challenge met in the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup with a 1-0 victory against Miami FC thanks to Djiby Fall’s fourth goal and the club’s fifth shutout of the tournament.

And it meant a return to Nippert Stadium on August 15 for the biggest game in the club’s short history, when the New York Red Bulls visit for a place in the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final.

“I’m incredibly proud of our team, our staff, the club, the traveling fans who came and supported us,” said Koch. “I think we were all part of something truly special tonight.”

Special is the only way to describe what Cincinnati has accomplished in the Open Cup this season. FCC is the first USL club to reach the tournament’s semifinals since the Richmond Kickers in 2011, and the side has been impeccable in its progression. Mitch Hildebrandt’s three-save shutout was his fourth of the tournament after Dallas Jaye handled goalkeeping duties in the Second Round.

The side has now not conceded a goal in the Open Cup since the Tampa Bay Rowdies’ Georgi Hristov scored in the 11th minute against FCC in the Third Round of the 2016 Open Cup, a span of 529 minutes. Hildebrandt produced arguably the moment of the night in the 89th minute when his kick-save brilliantly denied Kwadwo Poku an equalizer.

The other contender for that category, of course, was the goal that earned the victory. That it was Fall to score it was inevitable, the Senegalese international is the only FCC player to have found the net in four 1-0 victories to send the side to this stage. He is now tied for the tournament lead with Miami’s Stefano Pinho, who after Wednesday night will no longer have a chance to add to his total, held without a shot on goal by FCC’s stifling defense.

The goal was created by Justin Hoyte, who had laid the trap for the opportunity frequently over the prior 67 minutes. On almost every occasion he received possession and a chance to run at his man, the left wingback cut back onto his right foot. The moment he went left toward the byline, Fall making a beeline for the near post, Hoyte had the yard of space he needed to deliver the cross that gave FCC its goal.

It proved the decider, as FCC’s defense bent, but didn’t break, as it has throughout its run that also saw famous victories in front of crowds of 30,000-plus at Nippert Stadium against Columbus Crew SC and the Chicago Fire. Now with the Red Bulls coming to town, another magical night awaits.

“This game was very important for the fans and for the club,” said Fall. “It was a big chance for us to go for the semifinal. We played against a very, very good team. Miami FC was very difficult to play against at home [Riccardo Silva Stadium]. We played with energy and played to make our city happy. That’s our job.”

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