D.C. United fell 2-1 to FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium on Wednesday night despite holding 53% possession and earning nine corners to FC Cincinnatis six. Kimito Nono scored D.C. Uniteds goal in the 38th minute, but Teenage Hadebes second-half finish gave FC Cincinnati the deciding goal. The result moved D.C. United to 7-11-12 with 33 points in the Eastern Conference.
Kimito Nono Scores in the First Half
FC Cincinnati opened the scoring in the 14th minute when David Doud1bra finished from the right side of the box. D.C. United responded with pressure from Jackson Hopkins, Andre Dozzell and Brandon Servania, while Tai Baribo just missed a header from a Keisuke Kurokawa corner.
D.C. United leveled the match in the 38th minute. João Peglow split the FC Cincinnati back line with an over-the-top through ball, and Nono finished with his left foot into the bottom-left corner.
Alex Bono kept the score level before halftime with saves on Obinna Nwobodo and Tom Barlow. Bono made four saves in his first start of the 2026 season after starting in place of the questionable Sean Johnson.
FC Cincinnati Regains the Lead
FC Cincinnati retook the lead in the 55th minute when Teenage Hadebe finished from close range following a set piece. D.C. United pushed for another equalizer, but Roman Celentano denied Peglow in the 57th minute and Servania had a shot blocked a minute later.
Head coach René Weiler introduced Nathan Ordaz for Jackson Hopkins in the 67th minute. Ordaz had an effort blocked in the 74th minute, while Bono again made a key save in the 75th minute by denying a header from Nick Hagglund.
Lucas Bartlett nearly leveled the match in the 77th minute, but FC Cincinnati blocked his header off a Dozzell cross. Matti Peltola and Oscar Avilez entered in the 79th minute, and Sean Nealis replaced Kye Rowles in the 90th minute as the Black-and-Red continued to press.
D.C. United Statistics and Next Match
Nono led D.C. United with a team-high 0.54 combined expected goals and expected assists in 90 minutes. Peglow recorded an assist and was the highest-rated player on the night, while Bartlett recorded nine defensive contributions in his return to the lineup. Silvan Hefti added eight defensive contributions in 79 minutes.
The team completed 357 passes at 80% accuracy and recorded 27 touches in the opposition box, compared with 23 for FC Cincinnati. D.C. United holds a 6-4-5 all-time regular-season record against FC Cincinnati, including a 4-1-4 mark on the road.
D.C. United returns to Audi Field on Saturday, October 24, to host FC Cincinnati in a quick rematch. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
D.C. United created pressure and maintained a possession advantage, but FC Cincinnatis goals in the 14th and 55th minutes determined the result. Nonos finish, Peglows assist and Bonos four saves were notable individual contributions in the loss.
The October 24 rematch at Audi Field gives D.C. United another meeting with FC Cincinnati. The Eastern Conference opponents will meet again at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Source: Original report
