MLS FC Cincinnati

Captain Luciano Acosta Leads 3-0 FC Cincinnati Victory Over Charlotte FC

Published on September 23, 2023 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Cincinnati News Release


MVP front runner Luciano Acosta's virtuoso performance lifted FC Cincinnati to a dominant 3-0 victory over Charlotte FC on Saturday night at TQL Stadium.

Fresh off signing a three-year extension with the club that would see their captain remain in Orange and Blue through 2026, Acosta contributed or created all three goal scoring opportunities, cementing his case for the Landon Donovan MLS MVP Award.

With three goals in the final 46 minutes of the match, FC Cincinnati earned their 13th win at home this season and improved their overall record to 18-4-8 with 62 points, as many points as FC Cincinnati had earned in their first three seasons combined.

With a dominant performance from kickoff to final whistle, FCC conceded just six total shots with none hitting target and just a 0.5 total xG.

FC Cincinnati hit the road for their next match, heading back to Canada to take on Toronto FC next Saturday at BMO Field. The Orange and Blue return home to take on New York Red Bulls on October 4 in a match that could see them lifting their first ever MLS trophy by night's end.

The Captain makes his mark

Acosta proved why he is the MVP front runner, creating all three goals for The Orange and Blue, including a goal of the year candidate in the 80th minute to seal FCC's victory.

Picking up the ball just before the halfway mark, Acosta outran, outdribbled and flat out beat four defenders on his own before blasting a shot past the Charlotte goalkeeper for his 15th goal of the season.

Acosta, who signed an extension that would see him lead FC Cincinnati through the 2026 season, finished the match tied for the lead in the MLS Golden Boot award. The goal was also his third in four matches.

Barreal bangers

Álvaro Barreal got The Orange and Blue on the board first with a blistering free kick that left goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina frozen in the 45+1 minute.

With a building offensive opportunity in the center of the field, Acosta was dragged down while working for a shot on target, winning a foul and free kick from about 28 yards out in front of the net. While Acosta was lined up as a potential free kick taker, it was Barreal who sprung in quickly to send a curling right to left shot to the upper corner of the net.

For Barreal, who was recently nominated for the 2023 FIFA Puskás Award for the most spectacular goal of the year, it was his fourth goal of the MLS season and 12th in Orange and Blue. It was Barreal's first goal since earning the equalizer at Charlotte on July 8.

The goal marked the first time in four games, and second time in 10 matches that FCC have scored first.

Boupendza doubles the lead

With a lead earned in the first half, FC Cincinnati attackers didn't wait long to strike for a second time, scoring their second goal of the match in the 50th minute, just five game minutes after earning the opener despite the halftime break.

Barreal sent a long lofting pass up the left wing that sprung Acosta on a fast break. The Charlotte defender beat him to the ball initially, but the crafty captain was able to strip him and drive into the box. Acosta juked a defender to create space before centering a short pass to a wide open Aaron Boupendza, who fired off a left-footed shot that beat the keeper and doubled the lead.

The goal was Boupendza's fourth of the season in four MLS starts, and the assist was Acosta's 12th of the season.

Celentano keeps it clean

With the victory, goalkeeper Roman Celentano earned his FCC all-time leading 11th clean sheet of the season. While the keeper was not challenged with a shot on target, Celentano was actively engaged in defending, and thwarting, many crossing chances from Charlotte FC, snuffing out three potential opportunities from corner kicks with punches out of the box.

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Major League Soccer Stories from September 23, 2023


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