Related: First Eleven Soccer podcast with Bill McDermott and Saint Louis FCWe promised a historic night...well, this goal will be part of STLFC history forever! Oh captain, my captain @samfink4! -- pic.twitter.com/YgKACZgX27
— Saint Louis FC (@SaintLouisFC)
June 20, 2019 The first half saw Saint Louis FC create a majority of the scoring chances even though FC Cincinnati dominated possession. The first chance arrived in the 7th minute as Guy Abend was found at the top of the box after Paris Gee had a mazy run in the box but his shot went over the crossbar. Oscar Umar then nearly scored from close range in the 10th minute as he got a head on a Russell Cicerone cross but it was caught by FC Cincinnati goalkeeper Przemyslaw Tyton. Gee nearly scored the opener in the 16th minute as he cut inside the defense and let loose with a shot but it hit the near post and bounced back off Tyton for a corner kick. The home side would continue to press and Cicerone had a header at the back post that went just wide and Hilton had a great effort off the half-volley that was saved by Tyton in the 33rd minute to see both sides remain level at 0-0 going into the halftime break. The second half saw FC Cincinnati employ a high press and they created the most danger off turnovers and shots from outside the box. The first notable chance did not come until the 73rd minute, however, as STLFC goalkeeper Tomas Gomez was called to make a save on a shot from substitute Leonardo Bartone. STLFC would respond on the counter and Cicerone pulled the ball back for Abend but his first-time effort went wide in the 76th minute. Just as the game looked destined for extra time, Cicerone received the ball at the top of the box and he fired a shot that was tipped out by Tyton for a corner. The subsequent corner will go down in Saint Louis FC history forever as Hilton swung the ball in to find Fink at the back post and his header went beyond Tyton in the 93rd minute to seal the victory and book Saint Louis FC’s spot in the U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals against defending MLS Cup champions Atlanta United.
Because we won't be sleeping tonight, we caught up with the game winner and your captain @samfink4 in the @smilegen "After the Whistle" ---- pic.twitter.com/DToqf66Ue8
— Saint Louis FC (@SaintLouisFC)
June 20, 2019 “I think it was a deserved win, honestly,” said STLFC Head Coach Anthony Pulis. “Overall, the guys were outstanding tonight and they deserve it. They are a fantastic group to work with, so to see the joy on their faces and delight for the fans and everyone for the club, it was another memorable night and I hope everyone enjoys it because they deserve it.”
