FC Cincinnati Ties Charleston Battery 1-1 | Post Match Recap and Highlights
FC Cincinnati escaped with one point Saturday night against the Charleston Battery when the teams finished in a 1-1 draw. This was the first matchup between the two sides since they met at the season opener. With the point, Cincinnati is within four points of the top spot in the Eastern Conference as Louisville and New York both lost over the weekend.
Yes, escaping with points is always a positive, but FC Cincinnati and their 19,229 fans in attendance could not have been too happy with Saturday’s result. The team controlled the most of the game, leading for a good portion of the second half but just couldn’t capitalize on the momentum. A win would have distanced the team in the standings from Charleston who is still right on their heels and put them even closer to the top spot.
The two teams had plenty of chances in the first half but entered the second in a scoreless draw. Quickly into the second half (52’), University of Cincinnati product Omar Cummings hit a one timer beating keeper Alex Tambakis to put the Blue and Orange up.
The crowd, reinvigorated, continued to will the team to victory but the soccer Gods had other plans. Charleston’s Heviel Cordoves’ head connected on a corner kick in the 70th minute beating FCC keeper Mitch Hildebrandt. FCC once again struggles to maintain a lead, something that coach John Harkes has been frustrated by all year. On this particular play the defense didn’t appear fully set and got burned as a result.
Charleston had a few other close calls including a ball that rattled down from the top bar right on the baseline.
To FCC’s credit, gutting out the draw after losing momentum was impressive. As the last third of the season begins, the team is going to need to start turning these type of games into three points if they want one of the top two seeds in the playoffs.
The turnaround is quick as Cincinnati hits the road against FC Montreal in a midweek game on Wed. with kickoff set for 2 p.m.
