FC Cincinnati edges Monterrey 3-2 in Leagues Cup behind goal and two assists from Evander

In the opener of the 2025 Leagues Cup Tournament, FC Cincinnati benefitted from some more Evander magic and edged CF Monterrey 3-1 July 31 at TQL Stadium.

Cincinnati picked up a big three points in the first of three games they will play against Liga MX teams from Mexico in the next eight days.

Evander scored the opening goal in the first half, then delivered tough passes to Luca Orellano and Pavel Bucha for close-range scores in the second half.

After the teams were tied 1-1 at halftime, Cincinnati took a 2-1 lead after a controversial goal by Luca Orellano in the 58th minute.

Orellano slipped behind the Monterrey defense and got the ball in the middle of the goal box after a nice groundball pass for Evander. Only the Monterrey goalkeeper Luis Cardenas was in front of him, and Orellano outmaneuvered Cardenas and put the ball in the open net.

Orellano was immediately called offside and the goal waved off, but after a lengthy video review, the call was overturned and Orellano was awarded the goal.

In the 90th minute, Evander took the ball from a throw-in, tapped the ball off the bounce ahead to Bucha, who was on the right side of the 18. He beat Cardenas with a shot inside the far post.

The second-half goals were a big boost for the Orange and Blue, who avenged two losses to Monterrey in the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup.

Monterrey’s star player Germán Berterame, a member of the Mexican national team, scored a header in stoppage time to make it 3-2.

The win gives Cincinnati a better chance of advancing to the Leagues Cup quarterfinals. Only four out of the 18 Major League Soccer teams participating will advance to the knockouts, meaning there is little margin of error for any team wanting to win the trophy.  

First half highlights between FC Cincinnati and CF Monterrey

Right off the opening possession, Cincy got a great chance when Monterrey turned it over to Evander, who just missed wide from 20 yards.

Evander scored in the 31st minute to give Cincinnati a 1-0 lead.

After he and Gerardo “Dado” Valenzuela worked hard to keep possession of the ball, Evander dribbled past a defender and found open space in the middle of the field at the top of the goal box. He fired it under the crossbar to beat goalkeeper Luis Cardenas.

Monterrey had a couple of great chances in the first half.

In the 23^rd minute, a cross to Monterrey star Germán Berterame in the middle of the 18 was went off his foot and harmlessly into Evan Louro's arms. Before that, Fidel Ambriz fired a hard shot from 25 yards that Louro saved.

Late in the half, Cincy had a pair of close chances nullified by the Monterrey defense. Sergio Santos and Miles Robinson had the ball in front of the goal but couldn’t get a clean shot off.

Monterrey tied it 1-1 in the 45th minute.

Sergio Canales got the ball and dribbled to the front of the goal box. He fired a left-footed shot that appeared to deflect off the foot of a Cincy defender. The ball bounced softly to the left post, hit the inside of the post and rolled in.

In the 77th minute, Jesus Corona missed wide on a header from close range that would have tied the score.

Second half highlights

Monterrey came out of the gate in the second half with a couple of great chances. Matt Miazga lunged and stretched out a leg to keep Berterame from getting the ball for an open shot on net. Moments later, Canales hit the near post and the ball deflected out into the middle of 18, where Cincy was able to clear it.

With Cincy leading 2-1, Louro made a tough diving save in the 66th minute.

What’s next for FC Cincinnati?

Cincinnati will play game two of the Leagues Cup 5:30 p.m. August 3 against FC Juarez, who was leading Charlotte 3-1 late in the second half tonight. Monterrey will stay in Cincinnati and play New York Red Bulls 8:30 p.m. that night at TQL Stadium.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: FC Cincinnati beats CF Monterrey 3-2 in Leagues Cup opener