Indy Eleven 0 – 1 FC Cincinnati: Defense Shines in Second Straight Road Win

FC Cincinnati defeated Indy Eleven by a 1-0 scoreline at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday. Forward Emery Welshman scored the lone goal of the match in the 26th minute, his first of the 2018 season. The Orange and Blue were under heavy pressure from the home side when the goal came. Right-sided attacker Manu Ledesma created space for himself and delivered a precise curling cross onto Welshman’s head. The Canadian forward redirected it with a glancing nod, leaving Indy goalkeeper Owain Fôn Williams with little opportunity to make a save. 1-0 to FC Cincinnati.

Goalkeeper Evan Newton, again made a heroic contribution to the Orange & Blue’s victory. He saved a Jack McInerney penalty kick in the 39th minute and smothered the follow-up shot to preserve the lead. Saved again by “Saint” Evan.

40' A MASSIVE STOP FROM @NewtonEvan13 AT THE SPOT + THE FOLLOW UP!

As such, our lead stays in-tact.#INDvCIN 0-1 pic.twitter.com/Bu749RjdPl

— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) March 31, 2018

The second half was largely controlled by the home side from Indianapolis, but an organized FC Cincinnati defense systematically repelled each attack. Daniel Haber and Danni König entered the fray after the 65th minute to help relieve the pressure. One opportunistic Welshman goal, a brilliant Newton double-save, and a stingy second-half defense were enough. The Orange & Blue picked up a second consecutive 1-0 road victory in front of over 1000 traveling FCC fans, and a record-setting crowd of 17,535 at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Key Events

26′ – GOAL – CIN – Emery Welshman (assist Emmanuel Ledesma)
41′ – YELLOW CARD – IND – Reiner Ferreira
45+4 – YELLOW CARD – IND – Jack McInerney
54′ – YELLOW CARD – CIN – Dekel Keinan
74′ – YELLOW CARD – CIN – Forrest Lasso

Match Notes

The result gives FCC six points on the season and takes them up to 5th place in the Eastern Conference. However, three of the four teams above them in the standings have already played three matches to FC Cincinnati’s two.

FC Cincinnati started the exact same eleven players as they did against the Charleston Battery in the first game of the USL season.

Starting XI 
Welshman
Laing – Bone – Ledesma
Walker – Ryan
Smith – Lasso – Keinan – Hoyte
Newton

FC Cincinnati faced a mini-crisis early in the match, when Kenney Walker had to be substituted in the 17th minute. He was injured by a heavy challenge from Indy Eleven forward Jack McInerney. The central midfielder was replaced by Will Seymore who did an admirable job in Walker’s absence.

Jimmy McLaughlin recovered from a shoulder injury in time for Saturday’s match, but was not included in the 18 man squad.

What’s Next?

FC Cincinnati trades in a new rival for an old one next Saturday in the home opener at Nippert Stadium. Louisville City FC is the opponent, and they also have a 2-0 record after Saturday’s 1-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Something’s gotta give next weekend in the first installment of the Dirty River Derby.

Check in tomorrow for our “Deeper Cuts” analysis of Saturday’s result, and stay tuned to Orange and Blue Press for more coverage of FC Cincinnati’s 2018 season.