After cruising through USL in 2018 and struggling out of the chute in their inaugural MLS season, FC Cincinnati hopes a win over an old foe in the US Open Cup last Wednesday will kickstart their season.
Cincinnati beat Louisville City, 2-1, after extra time in the fourth round of the Open Cup last week, just their third win across all competitions since March 24.
"I just hope it was a turning point from us and we can continue that good result last week with another good result Wednesday," interim head coach Yoann Damet said after training on Monday.
"We know we need to get a good run in this cup to keep our season alive ... Hopefully this win turns things around us," forward Kekuta Manneh added.
Manneh scored the game-winner in extra time, but Fanendo Adi got the scoring underway for Cincy with his first of the season. It had been a long time coming for the Designated Player, who has dealt with his share of adversity, including a suspension from the league following a citation for Operating a Vehicle Impaired (“OVI”).
"Yeah it's been a long time," Adi admitted. "Yoann tells me personally to keep going, but I get worried about it a lot. I speak to him about it, he encourages me. To get that was very refreshing. I can only try to help the team and be better from now on."
Now, Cincy are set to face another familiar USL opponent in the round of 16. They travel to play Saint Louis FC on Wednesday (8:30 pm ET | ESPN+), who are fresh off eliminating the Chicago Fire.
"It's a big game, it's a cup game," Adi said. "We don't have any excuses. We should be absolutely ready and refreshed. We're going in to win the game. That's the most important thing and that's all we have to think about."
