Highland Heights, Ky. (March 17, 2024) – Chicago Fire FC II opened the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season with a 1-1 draw at FC Cincinnati 2 on Sunday night. Omari Glasgow scored the opening goal of the year in the 71st minute before Cincinnati equalized three minutes later. Romain Blake capped off a perfect shootout for the Fire to add an additional road point for the Fire.
Following a quiet first half, the teams returned to the pitch in the second half determined to open the scoring for the season. Midway through, Dylan Borso lofted a ball toward the right side of the field that Glasgow adeptly received. The Guyanese striker then struck the ball home to put Chicago on the board for the first time in 2024.
Amir Daley answered back for Cincinnati just three minutes later. The midfielder picked off a long pass on the wing, then sprung forward into the box before unleashing a shot past Patrick Los for the equalizer. Although both teams sought to take the lead for good, neither team threatened further and the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
The Fire won the toss and elected to lead off the shootout, with captain David Poreba stepping up first. He scored the opening kick, setting the pace for a perfect shootout that was compounded by a save from Los in the second round. The Chicago Fire Academy goalkeeper’s stop was enough for Blake to win the shootout with a good kick, giving the team an additional point to take home to the Windy City.
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Box Score: FC Cincinnati 2 1(3):(5)1 Chicago Fire FC II
Shootout:
Chicago Fire FC II: Poreba (scored), Nesci (scored), Konincks (scored), Glasgow (scored), Blake (scored)
FC Cincinnati 2: Mangione (scored), Schaefer (saved), Ramos (scored), Foster (scored)
Discipline:
CIN - Ramos (Yellow Card) 37’
CHI - Shannon (Yellow Card) 51’
CIN - Valoyes (Yellow Card) 63’
CHI - Osorio (Yellow Card) 65’
Chicago Fire FC II: GK Los, D Rochester (Borso 61’), D Konincks, D Shannon, D Hency, M Casas (Hlyut 61’), M Poreba (capt.), M Osorio (Blake 89’), M Oregel (Soudan 89’), M Glasgow, F Shokalook (Nesci 74’)
Subs not used: GK Dowd, M Granda
FC Cincinnati 2: GK Morse, D Foster, D Aghedo, D Schaefer, M Stout (Samways 81’), M Ramos, M Mangione, M Guido (Valoyes 61’), F Daley, F Castellano, F Stitz (Chirila 81’)
Subs not used: GK Rizvanovich, D Machado, D Matuskiewicz, M Tyrkus, M Hylton, F Belal
Stats Summary: CIN / CHI
Shots: 14 / 11
Shots on Goal: 4 / 2
Passing Accuracy: 74.5% / 78%
Saves: 1 / 3
Corners: 6 / 4
Fouls: 13 / 16
Offsides: 3 / 3
Possession: 48% / 52%
Referee: Nabil Bensalah
Assistant Ref 1: Jacob Little
Assistant Ref 2: Christopher Slane
4th Official: James Duling
