MIAMI, Florida – FC Cincinnati are through to the Round of 16 of the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup after a commanding 4-0 victory against Jamaican side Cavalier in the second leg of their Round One series on Wednesday night at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
With the result, FC Cincinnati claimed a 6-0 victory on aggregate and advance to the Round of 16 where they will have a date with five-time Concacaf champions Monterrey.
👏 To the next round! @fccincinnati is in Round of 16!#ConcaChampions pic.twitter.com/b2LIsGPEVU
— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) February 29, 2024
FC Cincinnati were in total command from the start and broke the deadlock in the 19’ when Bret Halsey charged into the Cavalier area before playing a ball across to Alvas Powell, who had the easiest of tap-ins for a 1-0 lead.
The home side were not done and doubled the margin in the 34’ through Aaron Boupendza, who took a short backheel from Gerardo Valenzuela and ripped a left-footed shot into net to make it 2-0.
Outside of a couple forays forward for Cavalier into the opposing half, it was FC Cincinnati remaining on the front foot, as they looked to extend their aggregate advantage.
They had a golden opportunity to do so in the 70’ when a penalty was whistled after Arquimidez Ordonez was taken down in the Cavalier area. Ordonez stepped up to take the spot kick, but saw his attempt saved by Cavalier GK Vino Barclett, who made a diving save to his right to deny Ordonez.
The third FC Cincinnati goal would arrive in short order, though, in the 71’, with Halsey serving the role of playmaker again by sliding a pass across goal and Isaiah Foster firing into net for a 3-0 lead.
The night was then capped in the 78’ on a powerful right-footed strike from Valenzuela, giving him his first goal with the club and completing the 4-0 scoreline.
