HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY. – New England Revolution II (8-5-2; 28 pts.) fell to FC Cincinnati 2 (4-6-3; 16 pts.), 2-1, on Sunday evening at NKU Soccer Stadium. Forward Jordan Adebayo-Smith scored his sixth goal of the season while defender Ítalo logged 63 minutes in his first start of 2023.
“It's been a tough year for Ítalo with injuries and he's been fighting hard to get back, so I’m just happy to see him back on the field and happy to see him running around, doing what he loves," Head coach Clint Peay said postgame. "And yeah, I thought he had a good game, a little bit out of position where we had him, but I thought he did well and contributed to us being able to dictate tempo in the first half of the game.”
Cincinnati found the scoresheet first following an own goal by New England’s Victor Souza, who’s headed clearance attempt snuck past goalkeeper Nico Campuzano. The home side recorded their second goal of the match in the 51st minute with Gerardo Venezuela’s tally.
Adebayo-Smith entered the game in the 63rd minute and found the back of the net in second half stoppage time, moving through three Cincinnati defenders to bat the ball in with his team-leading sixth goal of the season. The East London native earned a late scoring opportunity for New England, but Revolution II would fall just short for their fifth loss of the season.
New England returns to action on Friday, June 23 against Toronto FC II at Gillette Stadium. The 8 p.m. match will stream live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
New England Revolution II 1, FC Cincinnati 2 2
June 18, 2023 – NKU Soccer Stadium (Highland Heights, K.Y.)
- Forward Jordan Adebayo-Smith scored his sixth goal of the season in the 93rd minute, becoming New England’s leading goal scorer after recording four shots with two on target in 27 minutes.
- Defender ĺtalo made his first start of the season, tallying two shots with one on target across 63 minutes played.
- Forward Weverton earned his first start since May 28 vs. Inter Miami II and led his team with seven shots.
- Midfielder Nakye Greenidge-Duncan made his first appearance since May 28, 2023, entering as a substitute for Ítalo in the 63rd minute.
- Homegrown midfielder Esmir Bajraktarević played the full 90 for Revolution II, recording three shots with one on target.
GAME CAPSULE
Referee: Amiel Aleman
Assistant Referees: Christian Little, Jake Brochu
Fourth Official: Jackson Krauser
Weather: 83 degrees and sunny
Scoring Summary:
CIN – Victor Souza (OG) 45’+3
CIN – Gerardo Valenzuela 51’
NE – Jordan Adebayo-Smith 90’+3
Misconduct Summary:
CIN – Darrell Turcios (Yellow Card) 47’
NE – Ítalo (Yellow Card) 58’
CIN – Grayson Dupont (Yellow Card) 59’
CIN – Morgan Marshall (Yellow Card) 78’
NE – Tiago Suarez (Yellow Card) 87’
CIN – Kai Thomas (Yellow Card) 90’+1
CIN – Ryder Mills (Yellow Card) 90’+2
CIN – Bret Halsey (Yellow Card) 90’+5
NE – Jordan Adebayo-Smith (Yellow Card) 90’+5
New England Revolution II: Nico Campuzano; Colby Quiñones, Pierre Cayet, Victor Souza, Tiago Suarez; Jake Rozhansky; Ítalo (Nakye Greenidge-Duncan 63’), Marcos Dias, Joshua Bolma (Ben Awashie 70’), Esmir Bajraktarević, Weverton (Jordan Adebayo-Smith 63’).
Substitutes Not Used: Jacob Akanyirige.
FC Cincinnati 2: Paul Walters; Isaiah Foster (David Garcia 46’), Joey Akpunonu (London Aghedo 46’), Kai Thomas; Bret Halsey, Darrell Turcios, Malik Pinto (Gerardo Valenzuela 46’), Morgan Marshall, Grayson Dupont; Ryder Mills, Benjamin Stitz.
Substitutes Not Used: Hunter Morse, Philip Horton.
