RECAP: Red Bulls Lose Opener in Cincinnati, 1-0
The New York Red Bulls, 77 days removed from the 2024 MLS Cup Final, opened the 2025 Major League Soccer season with a 1-0 loss on the road to FC Cincinnati.
New York surrendered a late second-half goal to league newcomer Kevin Denkey.
A strong FCC defensive effort and lacking second half stifled the defending Eastern Conference champions.
Newcomers and Full-Match Performances
Forward Eric Maxime Choupo-Moting, defender Alexander Hack, and defender Omar Valencia each made their debuts for the Red Bulls on Saturday night. Of the three, only Hack would be subbed off, with the other two going the full 90.
The team’s best chance to score came in the first half. Forward Lewis Morgan attempted a shot while on his side in the 41st minute, where the FCC defense clogged the goal.
Choupo-Moting backheeled the subsequent ball in the box to captain Emil Forsberg, who hit the crossbar.
“We had our moments,” Red Bulls head coach Sandro Schwarz said.
“We were very active, we had good situations with the ball, we had our chances to score. We are disappointed about the result. In looking at the performance, I’m satisfied with the performance, upset about the result.”
The second half saw the Red Bulls controlling more of the game but not creating opportunities. Despite the visitors forcing Cincy keeper Roman Celentano to make three saves in the half, the offense never clicked into gear.
PHOTO: Katie Stratman/Imagn Images
The lone goal came from distance in the 70th minute. DeAndre Yedlin played a long ball from midfield to the Red Bulls box. Denkey beat his defender, playing the high bounce and heading the ball past Carlos Coronel.
Coronel had one save for the Red Bulls, who entered play with a 4-0-1 all-time record in Cincinnati during the regular season. The win also marks FCC’s first-ever win over RBNY at TQL Stadium.
New York’s last and best attempt to equalize came in the 82nd minute. Choupo-Moting shot outside the box, but Celentano handled the attempt for his third and final save.
Analysis
FC Cincinnati entered Saturday after playing in a CONCACAF Champions Cup match earlier in the week.
Despite this handicap, the team is still going to be one of the best in the Eastern Conference this season.
A one-goal defeat coming off preseason is not a cause for panic in Harrison.
“Yeah. I mean, a difficult result. Obviously, you want to start this season on a positive note, especially coming away from home, we played well in the game. Yeah, there’s positives to take and there’s obviously things that we need to do better, Morgan said after the game.
“We take the positives from it. I thought Choupo looked great tonight. Yeah, and, for sure, I’m looking forward to improving that connection with him and Emil and all these guys in the forward area. So, loads to build on, but under no illusions, obviously, there are things that we need to work on.”
The things to work on will most likely be endurance and wing play. For his part, Cameron Harper looked poor with crosses into the box on multiple attempts.
The backline also looked out of sync on the Denkey goal, with Coronel far up and Hack completely beaten on the long ball.
Overall, despite that, the main takeaway will be the offensive struggles.
Three shots on target, all coming in the second half, will not be enough for this team.
New York will play its first home match at Sports Illustrated Stadium on Saturday, March 1, against Nashville SC.
“It’s great that we have next weekend that we are playing in our Sports Illustrated Stadium with our supporters,” Schwarz said.
“It’s a good feeling for us, for the whole team, for the whole staff, for me as a head coach, it’s a good feeling now that we play next week our home opener against Nashville.”
PHOTO: Katie Stratman/Imagn Images
Discover more from New York Sports Nation
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.