New York Red Bulls 1-2 Cincinnati: MLS Eastern Conference leader grabs dramatic win

FC Cincinnati played its fifth game without forward Brandon Vazquez as he represented the USMNT in the Gold Cup, but the Eastern Conference leaders ultimately managed to end their three-game streak without a win – but not without their struggles.

FC Cincinnati again missed its star man and that was clear again, as it had to rely on a goalkeeping error in the 93rd minute to beat the New York Red Bulls 2-1 on Wednesday night.

Vazquez and Matt Miazga already missed international duty, and Ian Murphy was out of action after seeing a red card in the previous game against Charlotte, but Cincy was also without head coach Pat Noonan for personal reasons.

But even without their coach, Cincinnati overcame its trigger-pulling woes to come to a comeback win.

Cincinnati trailed 1-0 after the first half and failed to find the finishing touch until saved by the VAR and a last gasp scrappy winner.

Cincinnati were on the hunt for the equalizer when defender Nick Hagluund was on the receiving end after a harsh handball call from referee Lukasz Szpala resulted in a penalty for the hosts in the 28th minute.

Omir Fernandez stepped up to head for New York, took a short run-up before calmly firing into the bottom left corner and sending Roman Celentano the wrong way.

Cincinnati was not without opportunities, but without Vazquez on the squad, the missed opportunities seemed to cost the visitors.

But the side eventually got a break from VAR when Szpala pointed to the spot after a trip to the field monitor in the 80th minute, prompting loud moans from the home supporters. Luciano Acosta wasted no time in giving his teammates a lifeline after their – and his own – offensive woes as he equalized from the spot.

The real luck came in stoppage time, however, when Obinna Nwobodo’s effort bounced towards New York goalkeeper Carlos Coronel, who hand-tipped the ball into his own goal.

Hassan Ndam was the only change for New York after a 2-1 victory over a ten-man New England Saturday, with the defender replacing Andres Reyes, who was missing due to his accumulation of yellow cards.

But after just three minutes, Ndam had already followed in his suspended teammate’s footsteps by picking up a yellow card, leading to a Cincinnati free kick. It was the visitors’ first real offensive move, but the Red Bulls easily escaped trouble.

Both sides saw opportunities, but amid a viscous start in New Jersey, neither could break the deadlock.

Cincinnati grabbed moments to stream forward, but no one seemed to close the deal and find the back of the net. More defensive carelessness at the back of the Red Bulls gave Cincinnati a golden opportunity with a free-kick just before the corner flag, but again they failed to make any real threat.

Meanwhile, the hosts had beaten themselves. Dante Vanzeir attempted an overhead kick from a corner but fired it over the bat in the 14th minute, while Malik Pinto was booked ten minutes later for a challenge and netted a New York free kick.

They continued to push forward after Fernandez’s opener from the spot, with Cameron Harper frightening Celentano with a bullet from an attempt from outside the spot that looked past the far left post.

The second half followed a similar story, with both sides turning up the pressure, but neither managed to find the target until Cincinnati’s efforts were finally rewarded with an equalizer and winner.

Despite leaving the Red Bull Arena with a win, Noonan will be desperate for Vazquez to return.