Major League Soccer Regular Season - 2

Minnesota United FC 1 - 0 FT FC Cincinnati

Allianz Field

Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching

Futmetrix Verdict
17
FT
Sat, Feb 28
Minnesota United FC
1-0
FC Cincinnati
⚡ Intensity 12
⚖️ Balance 20
🏆 Stakes 44
🎲 Upset 0
Yeboah's strike grounds Cincinnati at Allianz.

Yeboah Strike Rewards Loons' Resilience at Allianz Field

Skip It Futmetrix Score: 17/100. Minnesota United flipped the script against a technically superior Cincinnati side, proving that grit and transition play often outshine pure possession in the early MLS campaign.

Battling for Footing

The early stages at Allianz Field set a demanding tone, driven by a high Intensity that saw both sides eager to establish dominance. FC Cincinnati controlled possession at 55%, dictating the tempo through the midfield and testing the home defense early. Yet, for all their territorial control and a barrage of 12 corners, the visitors struggled to find a clinical edge, generating just 0.84 expected goals. Minnesota United FC opted for a more direct approach, relying heavily on transition play to exploit the spaces left behind. Joaquín Pereyra was instrumental in these counter-punches, orchestrating the home side's attacks with exceptional vision and precision. Despite an eventual 29 combined shots in this contest, remarkable goalkeeper heroics at both ends kept the scoresheet stubbornly clean through the opening hour, frustrating both attacking lines.

The Decisive Moment

The match hung in a delicate Balance until the 66th minute, when the hosts finally cracked the Cincinnati code. Capitalizing on a rapid sequence, K. Yeboah found a crucial pocket of space inside the penalty area and delivered the lethal blow. It was a clinical finish that completely altered the tactical trajectory of the evening, rewarding Minnesota's superior 1.92 expected goals tally. Cincinnati's defensive anchor, Miles Robinson, had been virtually impassable until that singular lapse, demonstrating how quickly the Stakes can shift in a fiercely contested MLS encounter. The opening goal immediately forced the visitors to abandon their previously measured buildup play, pushing numbers forward in a frantic search for an equalizer and consequently leaving themselves exposed to further counter-attacks at the back.

Weathering the Storm

Trailing by a goal, Cincinnati threw everything forward in the closing stages, dialing up the Upset factor as they effectively camped in Minnesota's defensive third. The final twenty minutes turned into an absolute siege, with the visitors accumulating set-pieces and relentlessly pumping crosses into the danger zone. However, Minnesota's defensive block held firm under immense pressure, showing remarkable tactical organization to protect their hard-earned, slender lead. The vital 1-0 victory provides a massive morale boost for the Loons, pulling them to five points and stabilizing their early-season form. For Cincinnati, the frustrating inability to convert sustained possession and heavy corner pressure into tangible goals serves as a harsh lesson, leaving them to ponder a host of missed opportunities on their long flight back to Ohio.

Key Questions

Who scored the decisive goal?

K. Yeboah secured the victory for Minnesota United with a clinical strike in the 66th minute.

Who were the standout performers?

Joaquín Pereyra masterminded Minnesota's attacking transitions, while Miles Robinson was a defensive rock for Cincinnati despite the narrow loss.

What is the Futmetrix Score?

The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.

Match Statistics

Possession
45%
55%
Minnesota United FC 45%
FC Cincinnati 55%
Shots
16
13
Minnesota United FC 16
FC Cincinnati 13
Shots on Target
5
4
Minnesota United FC 5
FC Cincinnati 4
Expected Goals (xG)
1.92
0.84
Minnesota United FC 1.92
FC Cincinnati 0.84
Passes
371
440
Minnesota United FC 371
FC Cincinnati 440
Pass Accuracy
79%
81%
Minnesota United FC 79%
FC Cincinnati 81%
Corners
5
12
Minnesota United FC 5
FC Cincinnati 12
Fouls
9
6
Minnesota United FC 9
FC Cincinnati 6
Yellow Cards
2
0
Minnesota United FC 2
FC Cincinnati 0
Red Cards
0
0
Minnesota United FC 0
FC Cincinnati 0

Match Events

HT
59' 🟨 Morris Duggan
66' K. Yeboah
G. Valenzuela O. Nwobodo 🔄 69'
A. Jabbari T. Barlow 🔄 69'
76' 🔄 M. Boxall D. Padelford
N. Hagglund A. Powell 🔄 85'
E. Echenique K. Mboma 🔄 85'
90'+1 🔄 B. Hlongwane D. Taylor
90'+1 🔄 N. Triantis O. Gene
90'+6 🟨 Jefferson Díaz
90'+7 🔄 K. Yeboah M. Dieng
T. Hadebe G. Flores 🔄 90'+7
S. Gidi T. Anunga 🔄 90'+7
90'+9 🔄 T. Chancalay J. Gressel
FT

Player Cards

Our take on every player in this match

Minnesota United FC

Goalkeepers
D. Callender
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
J. Diaz
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Boxall
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
14
Late Mins
14
Late Mins
77
Total Mins
76
Entry
M. Duggan
WALL
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
54%
Duel Win %
A. Markanich
ARCHITECT
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
28%
Pass Acc
Midfielders
B. Hlongwane
NPC
NPC
89
Minutes
89
Minutes
15%
Pass Acc
6.5
Rating
N. Triantis
STORMTROOPER
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
W. Trapp
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Forwards
J. Pereyra
MAGNET
MAGNET
58
Activity
58
Activity
39
Passes
19
Duels
K. Yeboah
SNIPER
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
T. Chancalay
MAGNET
MAGNET
53
Activity
53
Activity
37
Passes
16
Duels
BENCH
A. Smir
SPECTATOR
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
D. Padelford
STORMTROOPER
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
D. Taylor
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
10
Total Mins
Started
Entry
C. Harvey
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Gressel
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Rodriguez
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
O. Gene
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
10
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Dieng
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
T. Putt
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry

FC Cincinnati

Goalkeepers
R. Celentano
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
N. Hagglund
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
5
Late Mins
5
Late Mins
85
Total Mins
85
Entry
M. Robinson
WALL
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
60%
Duel Win %
T. Hadebe
WALL
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
71%
Duel Win %
Midfielders
E. Echenique
STORMTROOPER
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
P. Bucha
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Gidi
NPC
NPC
89
Minutes
89
Minutes
32%
Pass Acc
6.6
Rating
G. Valenzuela
ARCHITECT
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
0
Assists
21%
Pass Acc
B. J. Ramirez Leon
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Forwards
A. Jabbari
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
69
Total Mins
69
Entry
K. Denkey
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
BENCH
E. Louro
SPECTATOR
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
A. Powell
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
16
Total Mins
Started
Entry
G. Flores
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
K. Smith
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
O. Nwobodo
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
21
Total Mins
Started
Entry
T. Anunga
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Jimenez
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
T. Barlow
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
21
Total Mins
Started
Entry
K. Mboma
LATE SHIFT
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
15
Total Mins
Started
Entry

Head to Head

Date Home Score Away Competition Venue
09/19/2024 Minnesota United FC 1 - 2 FC Cincinnati Major League Soccer Allianz Field
05/08/2022 Minnesota United FC 0 - 1 FC Cincinnati Major League Soccer Allianz Field
10/25/2020 FC Cincinnati 0 - 1 Minnesota United FC Major League Soccer Nippert Stadium
10/04/2020 Minnesota United FC 2 - 0 FC Cincinnati Major League Soccer Allianz Field
06/29/2019 Minnesota United FC 7 - 1 FC Cincinnati Major League Soccer Allianz Field
06/06/2018 FC Cincinnati 0 - 0 (PEN 1-3) Minnesota United FC US Open Cup Nippert Stadium (Cincinnati, Ohio)
09/19/2024
Major League Soccer Allianz Field
05/08/2022
Major League Soccer Allianz Field
10/25/2020
Major League Soccer Nippert Stadium
10/04/2020
Major League Soccer Allianz Field
06/29/2019
Major League Soccer Allianz Field
06/06/2018
US Open Cup Nippert Stadium (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Minnesota United FC Win
FC Cincinnati Win
Draw

League Standings