Cincinnati edges Minnesota United 2-1 in thrilling match
- Yuya Kubo and Luca Orellano scored for FC Cincinnati in the first half, leading to a 2-0 advantage at halftime.
- Minnesota United reduced the deficit with a penalty-kick goal from Kelvin Yeboah in the second half.
- Cincinnati's victory marks their 10th road win of the season, solidifying their strong performance in the league.
On Wednesday night in St. Paul, Minnesota, FC Cincinnati secured a 2-1 victory over Minnesota United, showcasing a strong performance in the first half. Yuya Kubo opened the scoring in the 34th minute, marking his 10th goal of the season during his 150th appearance for the club. Kubo's assist came from defender Chidozie Awaziem, who has made a significant impact in his limited appearances. Just before halftime, Luca Orellano extended the lead to 2-0, scoring his eighth goal of the season with assists from Kubo and Ian Murphy. In the second half, Minnesota United responded with a penalty-kick goal from Kelvin Yeboah in the 54th minute, narrowing the gap to 2-1. This goal marked Yeboah's fourth in his career, following a foul drawn by Jeong Sang-Bin that was confirmed through video review. Despite the pressure from Minnesota, Cincinnati's goalkeeper Roman Celentano made four crucial saves to maintain the lead. This victory is significant for Cincinnati, as it marks their 10th road win of the season, placing them among the few teams in league history to achieve such a feat. Under the management of Pat Noonan, the team has shown resilience, improving their record to 14-4-5 in Wednesday matches. The win also highlights Cincinnati's strong performance in midweek games this season, with a record of 5-2-0. Looking ahead, Cincinnati will continue their road trip with a match against Nashville SC on Saturday, while Minnesota United will face Sporting Kansas City. Both teams will aim to build on their recent performances as the season progresses.