FC Cincinnati began its 2024 Leagues Cup campaign with a 1-0 victory over Club Querétaro — who were eliminated after having a Cinderella run in the 2023 edition — when the two met on Thursday at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati.
The MLS club was without some of its usual starters, namely reigning MLS MVP Luciano Acosta and second goalkeeper Alec Kann, who got the call to start in last year’s Leagues Cup matches for the club.
Yamil Asad — who preached for players to step up due to Cincinnati’s absences — struck the first dangerous attempt on behalf of the hosts in the 15th minute, but Guillermo Allison swatted away the attempt in what set the tone for a dynamic encounter.
Samuel Sosa attempted the spectacular for Querétaro, striking from his own half in the 18th minute, but missed the placement as fans exhaled at TQL Stadium.
Gerardo Valenzuela was just wide on back-to-back opportunities, first striking from outside the box in the 23rd minute, followed by a quick strike in the box in the 24th minute, as the MLS side inched closer to the opening goal.
Bret Halsey took a hit across the face of goal in the 53rd minute as FC Cincy continued to generate dangerous chances.
Asad broke through with the opening goal in the 64th minute, striking inside the box on a ground pass from Sergio Santos.
A Querétaro build up led to an inside the box strike from Victor Lopez in the 75th minute but the attempt was blocked by Roman Celentano.
On the other end, Franco Russo was the last line of defense with a goal-line clearance in the 76th minute to deny Santos from obtaining the second.
Luca Orellano struck on goal from inside the penalty arc in the 81st, prior to subbing out of the match, to force a save from Allison.
Querétaro could not find the goal to tie the game and send the match to a penalty shootout and exit the tournament. FC Cincinnati and New York City FC sealed the two spots to the knockout round from East 1 and will meet on Monday to decide the group winner.
