FC Cincinnati 4-2 San Jose Earthquakes — FC Cincinnati produced a ruthless second-half display at TQL Stadium on Saturday night, turning a tense contest into a 4-2 Major League Soccer victory over the San Jose Earthquakes.
The visitors struck first in the 26th minute when defender Daniel Munie rose to head San Jose into the lead. Cincinnati responded with purpose, however, and Bryan Ramírez restored parity in the 33rd minute to send the sides into halftime level at 1-1.
Cincinnati took control after the interval. Timo Werner put the home side ahead in the 56th minute, and the Orange and Blue continued to press their advantage with greater control of the pitch and sharper attacking movement.
The decisive burst arrived late. Substitute Tom Barlow made it 3-1 in the 80th minute before Evander added a fourth just two minutes later, capping an authoritative spell in which Cincinnati turned pressure into goals.
San Jose did find a late consolation through substitute Ayoub Jabbari in the 90+5th minute, but there was no denying the hosts their deserved three points.
FC Cincinnati’s superiority was reflected in the numbers: they held 59.9 percent possession, fired 21 shots to San Jose’s 12 and put 11 efforts on target compared with just two from the Earthquakes. Seven corners and 15 shot assists further underlined the home side’s sustained attacking threat.
The result lifts Cincinnati after a statement performance at TQL Stadium, while San Jose will rue a second half in which it struggled to contain the hosts once Werner had swung the momentum.
Goals
- San Jose Earthquakes: Daniel Munie 26′
- FC Cincinnati: Bryan Ramírez 33′
- FC Cincinnati: Timo Werner 56′
- FC Cincinnati: Tom Barlow 80′
- FC Cincinnati: Evander 82′
- FC Cincinnati: Ayoub Jabbari 90+5′
