Sports stats



MLS FC Cincinnati

Yerson Mosquera, FC Cincinnati Find Game Winning Goal in Stoppage Time, Defeat Philadelphia Union in Eastern Conference Semifinal Showdown

November 25, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Cincinnati News Release


In the coldest home match in FC Cincinnati history, The Orange and Blue kept their cool, stayed red hot on the ball and delivered a revenge win over Philadelphia Union 1-0 in a rematch of the 2022 Eastern Conference Semifinals.

Yerson Mosquera found the match winner in stoppage time, taking a touch on an Ian Murphy header to the center of the box and firing the shot on net past a diving Philadelphia Union goalkeeper. The goal was the Colombian center backs first MLS Cup Playoffs finish and his third for FC Cincinnati across all competitions.

The late goal earned FC Cincinnati their first ever trip to the Eastern Conference Finals where they will take on Columbus Crew on Saturday, December 2nd at TQL Stadium in an all Ohio MLS Cup Eastern Conference Finals showdown.

With extra time looming, as four of six minutes of stoppage time had already elapsed, and both clubs sitting at an offensive stalemate, Álvaro Barreal sent a long crossing service into the box that found the head of Murphy. Mosquera, who found himself in the right place at the right time and placed his shot in the perfect spot as the diving keeper could not stop the ground shot. The goal was initially checked for a possible offside but was ultimately ruled that both Murphy and Mosquera were in legal position. Both Barreal and Murphy logged their first ever MLS Cup Playoff assists on the play.

Next Man Up mentality

Without defensive stalwarts Matt Miazga and Obinna Nwobodo in the lineup, and Santiago Arias starting on the bench, FC Cincinnati needed everyone to step up their game and contribute. Ray Gaddis, Alvas Powell and Yuya Kubo were tapped to fill in for the absent starters.

Throughout the season Pat Noonan was forced to get creative with lineup choices for a variety of reasons: injury, international duty, rest and rotation. Familiarity with changes to the starting group, and combinations of stars helped give confidence to the group on the pitch.

"This whole year, everybody stepped up and did their job every time they were called upon," forward Brandon Vazquez said. "You see it in training sessions. The intensity, the quality everybody brings, it pushes everyone to be at their best every day. And so I think no matter who's called upon, everyone is ready."

Despite the absence of the MLS Defender of the Year and one of the best defensive midfielders in the league, FC Cincinnati's midfielders frustrated the Union's attack all night. On three occasions in the first half, the pressure of either Gaddis or Kubo forced errors and turnovers. Alvaro Barreal aided in their effort, emphasizing his role as a defender by applying persistent pressure on the outside wing.

Through the first 20 minutes of play, FC Cincinnati dominated play. With over 70 percent possession and putting on three shots to Philadelphia Union's one, The Orange and Blue spent the majority of the opening half in the attacking zone.

Philly eventually found their footing, bringing the possession battle back to a more respectable 58-42 ratio and earned 0.6 to FC Cincinnati's 0.5 expected goals thanks to a disastrous miss from in close by Mikael Uhre in the 40th minute, but that was the long danger that plagued FCC through 45 mins.

Into the book

After a contentious last meeting between these two sides - which yielded over a dozen yellow cards and two reds - referee Ismail Elfath maintained control of the match by utilizing his whistle and cards like a judge's gavel. Issuing cards to Gaddis, Aaron Boupendza and Philadelphia's Damion Lowe and Julian Carranza. Elfath, who last winter was called to officiate matches at the World Cup, also made frequent use of one-on-one conversations and demonstrative hand motions to assert his control.

Composure was a key taking point for FC Cincinnati and head coach Pat Noonan, who was missing the aforementioned Miazga due to yellow card accumulation.

"It's important that we understand how and when to have the composure needed to find success and go win the game," Noonan said Wednesday. "You have to find ways to mentally be in the right space to get the decisions right and to help your team."

Late game adjustments

With the fulltime 90 winding to a close and 30 minutes of extra time awaiting on the other side of six stoppage time minutes, Noonan went to his bench for the first time to make a substitute in the 88th minute. Boupendza, who made the start and registered three shots on target, was subbed off for Dominique Badji. Badji, who started both of the matches against New York Red Bull in Round One.

FC Cincinnati found the winning goal in stoppage time, taking a 1-0 lead with just more than two minutes to play, and thus went into a defensive mode to see out the game. Subbing out Yuya Kubo for Marco Angulo to strengthen the defensive midfield.

Carter Chapley -

Staff Writer

Check out the FC Cincinnati Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from November 25, 2023


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.

OurSports Central