FC Cincinnati edges Monterrey 3-2 in Leagues Cup behind goal and two assists from Evander
Evander Leads FC Cincinnati to Dramatic Victory Over CF Monterrey
Cincinnati Edges Out Liga MX Giants in Thrilling Leagues Cup Opener
TQL Stadium erupted as FC Cincinnati secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over CF Monterrey in the opening match of the 2025 Leagues Cup on July 31st. Evander was the star of the show, orchestrating the attack with two goals and crucial assists, propelling Cincinnati to a crucial three points against strong Liga MX competition.
Controversial Goal Sparks Second-Half Surge
After a tense first half that ended tied at 1-1, Cincinnati took control in the second period. Luca Orellano's goal in the 58th minute sparked controversy. Initially flagged offside, the call was overturned after a lengthy VAR review, awarding Orellano the score and giving Cincinnati a 2-1 lead.
This ignited Cincinnati's attack, with Evander again shining. His pinpoint pass to Pavel Bucha in the 90th minute sealed the deal, securing a 3-1 lead for the home side. Monterrey's star forward Germán Berterame scored a consolation header in stoppage time, making the final score 3-2, but it wasn't enough to overturn the result.
Cincinnati Aims High After Convincing Win
This victory serves as sweet revenge for Cincinnati following two losses to Monterrey in the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup. It also puts them in a strong position to advance to the Leagues Cup quarterfinals, with only four out of 18 MLS teams set to progress.
First Half: A Tense Battle of Skill and Strategy
The match began at a rapid pace, with both sides creating early chances. Evander almost opened the scoring for Cincinnati after just minutes, narrowly missing wide from 20 yards. He eventually found the back of the net in the 31st minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to fire past goalkeeper Luis Cardenas.
Monterrey responded valiantly, with star player Germán Berterame having several promising opportunities. However, Cincinnati's Evan Louro proved resolute in goal, keeping them at bay. Sergio Canales equalized for Monterrey just before halftime, his left-footed shot deflecting off a defender and finding its way into the net.
Second Half: A Show of Dominance by Cincinnati
The second half saw Cincinnati take control of the game. Their superior possession and attacking play proved too much for Monterrey to handle.
With the victory secured, FC Cincinnati will now face FC Juarez on August 3rd in their next Leagues Cup fixture.