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On a night when FC Cincinnati played without five of its regular starters, a veteran and former starter gave the Orange and Blue the lift they needed.
Sergio Santos scored his first goal of the season in the 66th minute, less than 10 minutes after coming off the bench. He tapped the ball in from close range past Revolution keeper Aljaž Ivačič after receiving a crossing pass from Pavel Bucha.
Bucha collected the ball off a deflection after Corey Baird fired a shot that Ivačič had to dive to the ground to save.
That was enough as Cincinnati beat New England 1-0 Saturday night at TQL Stadium. Cincinnati is now 4-2-1 for 13 points. The Orange and Blue entered the day tied for fifth in the Eastern Conference in points with 10 but officially in eighth place based on goal differential. New England took its fourth loss in six games and is now 1-4-1 for four points.
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Santos’ goal came moments after FC Cincy keeper Roman Celentano made a diving save near the post on Ignatius Ganago.
Cincinnati was without several of its leading players: Evander and Yuya Kubo on offense, and Obinna Nwobodo, Miles Robinson and Teenage Hadebe on defense.
Without them, Australian Brad Smith made his first start of the season, playing left wing back. Tah Brian Anunga made his second start in MLS play at midfielder.
Cincinnati native Nick Hagglund played out of position at center back, similar to his performance against Atlanta two weeks ago. But he helped shut out New England.
Star defender Matt Miazga was not in the lineup but was available as a substitute for the first time this season as he recovers from a leg injury that cut his 2024 season short. He did not enter the game.
FC Cincinnati shut out New England star midfielder Carles Gil, keeping him off the scoreboard. Gil, who had 40 career goals and 73 assists, has one goal and five assists in 10 games against Cincinnati.
Cincinnati handed New England (1-4-1) its fourth shutout in six games. Gil had scored both goals last week in a win over the New York Red Bulls, and the Revs lost 2-1 to New York City Football Club with an own-goal by the opponents.
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FC Cincinnati coaching ties and team milestones
FCC beat New England at home for the first time in franchise history. Cincy had been 0-4-1 against the Revolution at home.
Cincy scored its 46th goal since the beginning of the 2024 season after halftime. FCC entered the night fourth in the league during that span behind Miami (51), Columbus (50) and LA Galaxy (49).
FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan has a lot of ties with the Revolution. He scored 37 goals while a player for the Revs, ranking ninth in club history.
Revolution head coach Caleb Porter was an assistant coach at Indiana University when Noonan was a player there. Noonan was a two-time All-American at IU before being drafted by New England in 2003.
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Saturday marked FC Cincinnati’s 200th MLS regular-season match since joining the league ahead of the 2019 season. The club holds an all-time 68-86-46 record (250 points.) in MLS play. Under Noonan, since 2022, FC Cincinnati is 54-27-28 (190 points).
The milestone occurs as MLS is celebrating its 30th season and the anniversary of its first regular-season match on Sunday. San Jose vs. DC United played on April 6, 1996. Those two teams will reunite Sunday on the 29th anniversary of that first match.
It was also a milestone night for FC Cincinnati radio broadcaster Tommy Gelehrter, who celebrated his 300th game on the air for the club.
First half highlights between FC Cincinnati and New England Revolution
Luca Orellano had Cincinnati’s best chances early. In the seventh minute, he put a good corner kick near the far post that keeper Aljaž Ivačič had to dive and punch the ball out of the 18 with his hands. Orellano then shot a free kick from 28 yards out that was blocked by the defense.
In the 16th minute Kévin Denkey had a tough off-balance volley from 12 yards go over the crossbar.
In the 18th, a Pavel Bucha corner kick resulted in hard shots from Brad Smith and Lukas Engel. Engel hit a laser from more than 30 yards that Ivačič saved.
After the midpoint of the first half, the Revolution had the most dangerous opportunities.
Right wing back Ilay Feingold had an open shot to Celentano’s right from 20 yards, but missed the far post wide left by about a yard.
Left midfielder Ignatius Ganago unleashed a hard shot from about 15 yards that went over Celentano’s head and slightly deflected off him before hitting the far post and bouncing harmlessly away.
In the final minutes of the first half, Denkey missed wide right from 15 yards and Orellano missed right from 25.
The Orange and Blue had eight official shots to six for the Revolution, and 58 percent of the possession.
The early minutes of the second half featured a flurry of end-to-end chances for both teams.
Cincinnati had 20 shots to 15 for the Revolution. New England had 10 corners to 7 for Cincinnati.
What’s next for FC Cincinnati?
The Orange and Blue will travel to Washington, D.C. to take on DC United 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 12. DC has six points (1-2-3) entering Sunday’s MLS anniversary matchup with San Jose.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: FC Cincinnati edges New England 1-0 on Santos goal to improve to 4-2-1
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