Late goal lifts Cincinnati past New York City FC
FC Cincinnati clinched a dramatic 2-1 victory over New York City FC Wednesday night as Evander da Silva Ferreira converted a stoppage-time finish to break a 1-1 deadlock. The result kept Cincinnati in competitive position as the regular season progresses and showcased a resilient performance anchored by goalkeeper Roman Celentano.
The goals began early when Cincinnati struck in the 11th minute. Kevin Denkey carried the ball into the attacking area and played a through ball that was deflected by New York City FC defender Kevin O'Toole, but Kenji Mboma Dem reacted quickly to slot home a sliding, first-touch finish.
New York City FC answered in the 21st minute. Substitute Agustin Ojeda supplied a pass to Nicolas Fernandez, who launched a forward ball into the attacking third. Fernandez then received a return from Ojeda and found Luighi Hanri Sousa Santos — known simply as "Luighi" — whose volley beat the Cincinnati defense and goalkeeper Roman Celentano to level the match.
From that point the game remained tied until stoppage time. In the closing moments, Evander — who entered the match leading Major League Soccer in goal contributions (22), assists (11) and goals scored from outside the box (six) for the season — turned a low shot from near the right corner of the penalty arc into the net with his back to goal, securing the win.
Goalkeeping kept Cincinnati in the match
Celentano was a decisive presence, making back-to-back stops early in the second half and finishing the night with seven saves. New York City's goalkeeper Matt Freese made five saves for the visitors. The final moments underscored both teams' defensive grit and the fine margins separating a draw from a Cincinnati victory.
- Final score: FC Cincinnati 2, New York City FC 1
- Scorers: Kenji Mboma Dem (11'), Luighi (21'), Evander (stoppage time)
- Key saves: Roman Celentano (7), Matt Freese (5)
| Team | Record (W-L-D) | Notable stats |
|---|---|---|
| FC Cincinnati | 8-6-6 | Evander leading MLS in goal contributions, assists, and long-range goals |
| New York City FC | 7-8-5 | Luighi has scored in each of his two MLS appearances since joining on loan |
The victory adds three points to Cincinnati's total as the season continues to unfold. Evander's late winner also reinforced his importance to the attack — he entered the match with league-leading numbers and finished the night adding another critical contribution.
For New York City FC, the performance of 20-year-old Luighi, acquired on loan July 28, was another bright spot: he has now scored in both of his MLS appearances with the club. Historically, NYCFC has had success against Cincinnati — the source notes a 9-4-3 record against FC Cincinnati and a 6-2-2 mark at home — but Wednesday's result narrowed the gap in the season series.
There was drama earlier in the season when Cincinnati and New York City FC played to a 4-4 draw at Yankee Stadium on April 22; that night Andrei Chirila and Kevin Denkey netted stoppage-time goals for Cincinnati. Wednesday's win again saw Cincinnati prevail late, this time at their own end to secure the result.
As the regular-season calendar progresses, Cincinnati will look to build on the momentum from a late comeback win and maintain its form. The club's goalscoring depth, combined with Celentano's shot-stopping, offers a blueprint for the type of matches Cincinnati needs to win down the stretch.
Fans and analysts will watch how Evander's playmaking numbers translate into consistent team results, and whether the club can keep producing decisive moments in the closing minutes of tight contests.
