
Stitz Goal Not Enough as FC Cincinnati 2 Fall to New York Red Bulls II, 3-1
June 25, 2023 - MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
FC Cincinnati 2 News Release
FC Cincinnati 2 fell to New York Red Bulls II on Sunday, June 25, in a 3-1 loss at MSU Soccer Park in Montclair, N.J. The Orange and Blue remain 11th (4-7-3, 16 points) in the Eastern Conference as Red Bulls II move to fourth (7-4-4, 27 points).
New York's Frank Ssebufu opened the scoring 29 seconds into the match as Red Bulls II capped off their first attack with a goal. Copeland Berkley delivered the final ball, an early cross into the box which Ssebufu rose to meet with a well-placed header.
Ben Stitz scored his fourth of the season in the 21st minute to bring the match level. A turnover in New York's defensive third led to the chance as Gerardo Valenzuela collected an errant pass from Red Bulls II.
Valenzuela controlled to Stitz before making a supporting run into the box. Stitz pushed forward, electing to take a shot from distance with a powerful strike. Goalkeeper AJ Marcucci was able to get a hand on Stitz's attempt but could not keep it out.
Ibrahim Kasule netted his fifth goal of the campaign in the 25th minute to restore New York's lead. Kasule won a 50-50 ball at the edge of the Cincinnati area and slipped a quick shot past Paul Walters.
Kasule played provider on Red Bulls II third goal of the night, picking out Davi Alexandre from a set piece situation to extend the lead to 3-1. Alexandre found an open header at the back post from the free kick for his first goal of the year.
FC Cincinnati 2 return home to Scudamore Field at NKU Soccer Stadium on Sunday, July 2 as they take on Orlando City B. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
FC CINCINNATI 2 GAME REPORT
FC Cincinnati 2 at New York Red Bulls II
Date: June 25, 2023
Venue: MSU Soccer Park
Competition: MLS NEXT Pro regular season
Kickoff: 7:03 p.m. ET
Weather: 77 degrees, clear
SCORING SUMMARY: 1-2-F
NY: 3-0-3
CIN: 1-0-1
NY - F. Ssebufu (C. Berkley) 1', I. Kasule (R. Donkor) 25', D. Alexandre (I. Kasule) 40'
CIN - B. Stitz (G. Valenzuela) 21'
LINEUPS
NY: A. Marcucci, O. Valencia (A. Recinos, 62'), D. Alexandre, M. Nocita, C. Berkley, A. Jarvis (H. Wise, 70'), D. Sullivan, R. Donkor (J. Reid, 62'), I. Kasule (E. Ruiz, 82'), O. Mullings (R. Gorday, 70'), F. Ssebufu
Substitutes not used: W. Meyer, J. Gutierrez, Dija
Head Coach: Ibrahim Sekagya
CIN: P. Walters, L. Aghedo, J. Akpunonu, K. Thomas (H. Conteh, 84'), I. Foster, S. Jimenez, D. Turcios (Garcia, 46'), M. Dreas, G. Valenzuela, R. Mills, B. Stitz
Substitutes not used: H. Morse
Head Coach: Tyrone Marshall
STATS SUMMARY: NY/CIN
Shots: 10 / 9
Shots on goal: 5 / 6
Saves: 5 / 2
Corner Kicks: 7 / 3
Fouls: 22 / 10
Offside: 3 / 0
Possession: 43.2 / 56.8
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
NY - F. Ssebufu (Yellow card) 28'
NY - C. Berkley (Yellow card) 34'
NY - O. Valencia (Yellow card) 53'
CIN - J. Akpunonu (Yellow card) 72'
NY - J. Reid (Yellow card) 81'
OFFICIALS
Referee: Brandon Stevis
Ast. Referees: Sharon Gingrich, Alexandru Focea
Fourth Official: Kenneth Rojas
MLS NEXT Pro Stories from June 25, 2023
- Sporting KC II Takes Down North Texas SC in Kicks from the Spot to Earn Seventh Result in Last Eight Matches - Sporting Kansas City II
- Stitz Goal Not Enough as FC Cincinnati 2 Fall to New York Red Bulls II, 3-1 - FC Cincinnati 2
- Houston Dynamo 2 Fall at Home to San Jose Earthquakes II - Houston Dynamo 2
- Huntsville City Football Club Falls 1-0 at Columbus Crew 2 - Huntsville City Football Club
- Chicago Fire FC II Suffer 4-2 Loss at Crown Legacy FC - Chicago Fire FC II
- Tacoma Defiance Hosts Austin FC II Sunday Night at Starfire Stadium - Tacoma Defiance
- NYRBII Return Home to Face FC Cincinnati 2 at MSU Soccer Park - New York Red Bulls II
- Salim Adams Named to Ghana Roster Ahead of the TotalEnergies U-23 African Cup of Nations Tournament - FC Cincinnati 2
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent FC Cincinnati 2 Stories
- Preview: Orange and Blue Prepare for Home Meeting against Toronto FC II
- FC Cincinnati 2 Fall to Philadelphia Union II, 4-1
- FC Cincinnati 2 Return Home for Tuesday Night Meeting with Philadelphia Union II
- Amir Daley Called to Antigua and Barbuda National Team for World Cup Qualifiers
- FC Cincinnati 2 Fall to Crown Legacy FC, 2-0

