HIGHLIGHTS- FC Cincinnati vs. Charlotte FC - September 23, 2023

The explosive Alvaro Barial at left wing back. Luciano Acosta rewarded with that lucrative extension this week. To left back tonight, Captain Ashley Westwood is the centerpiece of this midfield. They've qualified for the playoffs for a second straight season after finishing last in the table each of the previous three years before that. They have their sights set on... It's in tonight on MLS season pass. Acosta opts to square this. Barial to play this into the 18. Vazquez for Haglund lifts this far post. Taken out of midair and deflected just wide. It was a really well worked free kick. As you can see, it's Vazquez just comes over to this far side and he out jumps Miriam. And then the ball gets played to the far post from Haglund. And then Avanes does really well, but I just think who pens it, it just comes in a little bit too quick. And he's not able to adjust, but it's a good... Hard challenge, but a fair one says the referee. Vazquez helps Cincinnati take it away. Acosta, or rather Moreno with the dummy for Bupenza. This ball played and big save made. It makes for an exciting game. But you see the little bit of a link up here. Bupenza plays it into Acosta. You can see he is onside. And then just the awareness to try the overhead. It's an incredible effort, but give great credit to Kalina because that will have taken him by surprise. It's a good... I don't think he far off right there, Steve. And what I would say as well, I think at times... Pick up on that in a moment as the takeaway by Cincinnati. Vazquez flag stayed down. Kalina with the stop. Follow-up try is sent wide. He's not. He's in an onside position now. It's a lovely ball. Vazquez, you're expecting him to put the ball into the back of the net. He was burned just playing him onside. 23-year-old Argentine. The return from Acosta. Here comes Cincinnati. Play it across. Vazquez can't get to it. Bupenza. And now it's cleared away. That was Byrne who made the stop at the six-yard box. That means the chance was sort of gone and a block was put in. Just sees a wonderful ball in from Barrial. Well, Vazquez and Bupenza played onside, but he's brilliant defending from Byrne. As a defender, always expect the worst. It's exactly... It was ticketed for a 1-0 Cincinnati lead. Nathan Byrne, other ideas. Let's watch Hagland continuing on. Vazquez collects. Brandon Vazquez puts it on a platter. This is Acosta. And he missed. Gives it a go and scores! A bit of surprise. Just as we have another look at it here. I don't think there's anything potentially to warrant that being taken away. Just see Kalina. He's not happy. Something not very happy about at all. I don't see why there are any complaints. Kalina straight out to the referee. He's not happy, but as we can see from seeing the replays, once again, it's a good goal. The goal is confirmed. Merham. One back by Cincinnati. And the first half has come to an end. This is a side that would have to win all five of its remaining matches to set a single season points record in MLS. Pat Noonan was very blunt. That's not our focus. The shield is as the second half begins. Talked about the job Chris Albright did. He identified three areas of need when he took this job. A number one goalkeeper, a ball winner, and a defender. Went out, got Wobedo, Miazga, and Celentano. Here comes Acosta in the danger area. Backing up, Bremit, Bupenza! And there's the combination Cincinnati needs to click. And they double lead. It's Bupenza from Acosta. Two-nothing. Pat Noonan will be absolutely delighted that it was Acosta to Bupenza. But what I would say, we spoke about it in the first half. Privet, he's not comfortable on the right-hand side. But he's going over to the right-hand side because he's man-marking Acosta. So the second Acosta gets away from him, he's never comfortable. And Acosta, if you're uncomfortable playing against him, when you lose the ball, as you can see, Privet is here. Well, you might as well just stop. Because the outcome, more than likely, is going to be the ball in the back of your net. And it's exactly what this Acosta and Bupenza understanding partnership needed. Plays this, top of the 18. Cincinnati holds its ground. And now Wobedo with the release. Acosta. Beats one man one-on-one and another. This is still Lucho Acosta continuing on. Acosta! Oh, my goodness! The ball up and said, OK, you know what? I'm going to pick it up at the halfway line. And I'm going to go all the way on my own. And he's thinking to himself, release the ball now. Release the ball now. He decides, no, I'm not having that. I'm going to have the goal instead. And I'm probably going to get the goal of the season as well. It's just unbelievable. First of all, he uses skill and strength. Then he uses pace. And then he uses patience just to get the time right to take the strike. And he completely bamboozles the whole of the Charlotte defence. And this player is a joy to watch. Cincinnati, they've just renewed his contract. What a huge positive. Cross by Bronico. Comes right back to him and head it over goal. That was Derek Jones with one of the best opportunities of the night for Charlotte. And he has to hit the target. As simple as that. We saw him go through from the header. He's not able to keep it down and at least test. Yusbiak, who's just come on, able to play this. That ball got by Ajaman and taken by Cincinnati. Let's see what Kubo can do. Has the pace to get away from Jones. Yuya Kubo, that's a fine ball. Played across. Taken here. Baggi with a shot. And a save by Kalina. That's off Powell for a Charlotte throw. And that's all. Jair Marufo says full time. And FC Cincinnati, coached by Pat Noonan.