FC Cincinnati keeps Revolution at bay in rainy win

Updated: Apr 5, 2025, 10:01 pm

CINCINNATI -- Sergio Santos picked up his first goal of the season in the 65th minute and Roman Celentano made three saves in goal to lead FC Cincinnati past the visiting New England Revolution, 1-0, Saturday night in an Eastern Conference match.

One week after earning their first road win of the season, FC Cincinnati (4-2-1, 13 points) earned its first-ever home win over New England (1-4-1, 4 points). The Orange and Blue had been 0-4-1 in five previous matches against the Revs in Cincinnati. New England was the last unbeaten Eastern Conference team in Cincinnati.

Celentano benefitted from a defense that blocked 10 of New England's 15 shots.

The Revolution was denied notching consecutive MLS victories for the first time since June 2024 and its first road victory since Aug. 24, 2024.

Cincinnati's Corey Baird fired a shot that New England keeper Aljaz Ivacic knocked away to his left. But Pavel Bucha controlled it for FCC and Bucha fed an unmarked Santos, who tapped it into the open goal for his first tally of the season.

The match was played in heavy rains from the start that made the conditions extremely slick on the grass surface. FCC head coach Pat Noonan earned his second win against the team that took him ninth overall in the 2003 MLS Super Draft.

Right backer Ilay Feingold had New England's best chance from 18 yards out, but his right foot shot went just outside the left post. Fiengold's threat began a sustained stretch for the Revs, which included chance when Celentano slipped on the wet pitch and fell to his knees, allowing a shot to slide through his mitts. But Celentano and FCC was saved by the right post.

In the 41st minute, Denkey had a spinning chance from just outside the goal area. But his left-footed attempt when just wide of the right post.

The clubs traded quality chances in the opening five minutes of the second half, trying to break the scoreless tie. In the 48th minute, Denkey's right-footed shot was blocked by center back Mamadou Fofana. A minute later, New England's Ignatius Ganago had an attempt from the left side of the box blocked by Cincinnati captain and top defender Nick Hagglund.

Luca Orellano nearly put Cincinnati two ahead with a break alone down the right side, but Ivacic came out and kicked it away in the 81st minute.