WASHINGTON, D.C. – The whole FC Cincinnati dug itself over the first 75 minutes against D.C. United proved too deep to climb out of, but the attempt climb out was certainly interesting.
D.C. United led FC Cincinnati 4-0 at Audi Field on Saturday. FCC added two late goals in the final 10 minutes through Brandon Vazquez and Luciano Acosta to halve the deficit, but the earlier damage had essentially decided the outcome.
In the first half, United's Paul Arriola opened the scoring in the seventh minute. Steve Birnbaum doubled United's lead in the 21st minute and Arriola tallied again just before halftime with his second goal.
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Nigel Robertha added what appeared the be the finishing touch via his goal for 4-0 in the 72nd minute. It ended up being the insurance tally after Vazquez stung the back of D.C. goalkeeper Bill Hamid's net in the 74th minute.
Acosta dinked and dribbled his way to knocking in his fifth goal of 2021 in the 84th minute. The former D.C. United player didn't celebrate the goal, which came in front of the United supporters' section.
The match reaffirmed United's foothold in the MLS Cup race, improving its record to 11-11-4 and 37 points.
FC Cincinnati's 2021 season continued to list as it fell to 4-13-8 as it conceded at least three goals in a match for the ninth time in 2021.
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The Enquirer will update this report.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Welcome to Cincinnati.com's live coverage of FC Cincinnati versus D.C. United at Audi Field. Refresh this page throughout the match for live updates and analysis, and follow Enquirer beat reporter Pat Brennan on Twitter for additional analysis (@PBrennanENQ).
In-match updates:
• 84th minute – GOAL, FC Cincinnati (4-2): Luciano Acosta.
• 80th minute – GOAL, FC Cincinnati (4-1): Brandon Vazquez.
• 72nd minute – GOAL, D.C. United (4-0): Nigel Robertha.
• 41st minute – GOAL, D.C. United (3-0): Paul Arriola.
• 21st minute – GOAL, D.C. United (2-0): Steve Birnbaum.
• 7th minute – GOAL, D.C. United (1-0): Paul Arriola.
Pre-match updates:
• FC Cincinnati starting XI (bench): Przemysław Tytoń (GK), Zico Bailey, Nick Hagglund, Geoff Cameron, Gustavo Vallecilla, Ronald Matarrita, Yuya Kubo, Caleb Stanko, Allan Cruz, Luciano Acosta, Brenner Souza da Silva (Tyler Blackett, Edgar Castillo, Chris Duvall, Calvin Harris, Haris Medunjanin, Kamohelo Mokotjo, Florian Valot, Brandon Vazquez, Kenneth Vermeer (GK)).
