FC Cincinnati made a significant cross-country trip to America First Field in Sandy, Utah, on Saturday, July 19, 2025, where they edged out Real Salt Lake with a narrow 1-0 victory. This win not only snapped Real Salt Lake's impressive five-match unbeaten streak but also propelled Cincinnati to the top of both the Eastern Conference and the Supporters' Shield tables, setting the stage for an exciting second half of the Major League Soccer season.
The match marked FC Cincinnati’s third game in just one week, prompting head coach Pat Noonan to rotate his lineup heavily from the squad that defeated Inter Miami on Wednesday. Notably, defender Matt Miazga was rested, and Corey Baird came in to replace striker Kei Kamara. Early on, this change seemed promising as the attacking trio of Baird, Evander, and Gerardo Valenzuela pushed forward aggressively, creating several early chances. Despite this, the first half unfolded as a tactical stalemate, with both teams prioritizing defensive solidity and limiting clear scoring opportunities.
Real Salt Lake, coming off a strong run of form that included three consecutive wins against St. Louis, Houston, and Portland, made a few adjustments from their previous match. Head coach Pablo Mastroeni introduced Alex Katranis at left-back, Braian Ojeda returned to midfield after suspension, and Australian striker Ariath Piol earned a start. Among RSL’s ranks, 21-year-old Diego Luna stood out as the team’s brightest spark, demonstrating his burgeoning superstar status. Luna was a constant threat, completing 40 passes at nearly 90% accuracy, registering three shots on target, and delivering two key passes. His quick footwork and intelligent off-the-ball movement created multiple chances, although none found the back of the net.
As the second half progressed, Real Salt Lake shifted tactics, opting for long balls over the midfield in an attempt to bypass Cincinnati’s defensive lines. Much of their pressure was concentrated on FC Cincinnati’s left flank, where Zavier Gozo frequently challenged defender Teenage Hadebe one-on-one. Despite the relentless attacks, Hadebe held firm, and Noonan responded with strategic substitutions. Luca Orellano replaced Valenzuela in the 63rd minute, and Sergio Santos came on for Hadebe shortly after. These changes allowed Lukas Engel to move back into central defense, shoring up Cincinnati’s backline and stifling RSL’s offensive efforts.
The defining moment came late in the 87th minute. After a midfield turnover, Brian Anunga seized the ball and drove forward, beating a defender before laying it off to Luca Orellano. Demonstrating remarkable composure, Orellano settled the ball and curled a precise left-footed shot into the side netting, leaving goalkeeper Rafael Cabral with no chance. This goal was Orellano’s second of the season, following a strong rookie campaign where he scored ten goals. Anunga’s assist was also a milestone, marking the midfielder’s first career assist.
Roman Celentano was instrumental in preserving the lead, turning away seven shots and securing his eighth clean sheet of the campaign. This marked Cincinnati’s second consecutive shutout, following a 3-0 victory over Inter Miami earlier in the week. The team’s defensive resilience was critical, especially given Real Salt Lake’s offensive threats and the pressure applied throughout the match.
Despite the loss, Real Salt Lake’s performance was commendable. Diego Luna’s influence was undeniable, as he consistently created space and opportunities, orchestrating attacks and pushing his team forward. The match statistics reflected the competitive nature of the clash: Real Salt Lake outshot Cincinnati 17 to 15 and held 56.2% possession, though Cincinnati’s defense and goalkeeper Celentano ensured those opportunities did not translate into goals.
The victory improved FC Cincinnati’s record against Western Conference opponents to an impressive 15-4-5 under coach Pat Noonan. It was the third all-time meeting between these two clubs and the second played in Utah, with the road team winning all three encounters. This result, combined with a draw by Philadelphia Union, propelled Cincinnati to the top of the Supporters’ Shield race and the Eastern Conference standings, edging out Nashville SC and Philadelphia by a single point.
Looking ahead, FC Cincinnati will have a brief respite before returning to action on Saturday, July 26, 2025, to face Inter Miami once again. Orellano is expected to be a key player in that match, having previously assisted against Miami in their recent encounter. Meanwhile, Real Salt Lake will host the San Jose Earthquakes on the same day, aiming to bounce back from this narrow defeat and continue their push in the Western Conference.
The MLS All-Star Game also looms large this week, with the MLS All-Stars set to face off against the Liga MX All-Stars on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at 9 PM EST. FC Cincinnati’s strong form and position atop the league tables make this an exciting period for the club and its fans.
In summary, FC Cincinnati’s late goal from Luca Orellano and Roman Celentano’s steadfast goalkeeping secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Real Salt Lake, ending the latter’s unbeaten streak and positioning Cincinnati as the team to beat in MLS heading into the All-Star break.
