FC Cincinnati made their finishing count at Audi Field on Saturday, October 24, beating D.C. United 2-0 through goals from Evander in the 35th minute and Tom Barlow in the 52nd. The visitors converted both of their shots on target to secure three points in this Major League Soccer fixture.
Evander breaks the deadlock
The opening half brought bookings before the breakthrough. Cincinnati midfielder Obinna Nwobodo received a yellow card in the 24th minute, while D.C. United forward Tai Baribo followed into the referee’s notebook in the 34th.
A minute later, Evander put Cincinnati ahead. His 35th-minute goal separated the sides at the interval, giving the visitors a lead that D.C. would ultimately be unable to overturn. Barlow was also booked in the 38th minute.
Barlow doubles Cincinnati’s advantage
D.C.’s task became considerably harder seven minutes after the restart when Barlow struck in the 52nd minute. With Cincinnati now two goals clear, the hosts needed a response but could not find a way back into the match.
United finished with 52.6 percent possession and seven shots to Cincinnati’s six. Yet their greater share of the ball did not translate into a breakthrough: both teams registered just two attempts on target, and only the visitors turned theirs into goals.
Each side won one corner, underlining a fixture that produced relatively few shooting opportunities. Cincinnati’s finishing proved the decisive difference, while a clean sheet ensured that Evander’s first-half opener and Barlow’s early second-half goal were enough.
What comes next
Both clubs return to MLS action on Wednesday, October 28. D.C. United face Toronto FC, while FC Cincinnati take on Inter Miami CF, with both fixtures scheduled for 4:30 p.m. PDT.
For Cincinnati, this was an away victory built on taking their chances. For D.C., the frustration lay in having more possession and more attempts without producing the goal that might have changed the contest.
