Mitch Hildebrandt’s heroics help FC Cincinnati upset another MLS foe

June 29, 2017 by
Mitch Hildebrandt

Photo credit: USL

CINCINNATI — The Chicago Fire knew nabbing a win at Nippert Stadium in front of an expected crowd of 30,000-plus on an unfamiliar pitch wouldn’t be a cakewalk. They couldn’t have been more correct.

After 90 minutes and 30 more of stoppage time, FC Cincinnati prevailed over Chicago in a scintillating penalty shootout. The win sets up a date with Miami FC in the next round of the U.S. Open Cup.

“I’m proud of our team,” said Cincinnati head coach Alan Koch. “It was fun. We had some great moments against big stars.”

After the Fire dominated the first half and the early part of the second half, FC Cincinnati came storming back with authority. The hosts not only played Chicago on level terms late, but seized all the momentum behind the stellar play of goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt and substitute midfielder Jimmy McLaughlin.

Both clubs featured similarly strong lineups — each missing a key attacking option — but not pulling many punches otherwise. David Accam, who makes a living torching defenders up the left side, was unavailable for Chicago after getting called in for Ghana national team duty.

The leading scorer for the home side, Djiby, sat with a sprained ankle, but went through a light workout before the match. Cincinnati came out in a 3-5-2 that played more like a 5-4-1, the same setup Koch trotted out that caused Columbus Crew SC problems in FC Cincy’s Cup win in the previous round.

The Fire produced the first excellent chance of the match in the 16th minute when Bastian Schweinsteiger played a short pass in tight space through to Arturo Alvarez, who delivered a low cross into the six-yard box. Dutch forward Michael de Leeuw slid to get on the end of it, but FC Cincy defender Matt Bahner stepped in front to make a timely, goal-saving clearance.

The “Men in Red” continued to threaten in the final third, but Cincy’s sturdy back five remained well organized throughout, even as Chicago dominated possession in the midfield.

In the 69th minute, McLaughlin found a seam on the left flank to create a chance for the home side. His service found forward Danni Koning’s head, but a slightly mistimed jump prevented Konig from directing the header with any pace.

McLaughlin was easily the hosts’ most dynamic player, making an immediate impact upon entering in the 66th minute. He later got in behind the defense a second time after burning Fire defender Johan Kappelhof, but Matt Lampson made an excellent save to preserve the nil-nil scoreline.

Korben Bone nearly provided some magic in stoppage time for FC Cincinnati when he found himself one vs. one against Lampson, but the Fire ‘keeper again made a huge stop. Ultimately it was Lampson’s counterpart, Hildebrandt, who would produce the magic.

After a scoreless extra 30, Hildebrandt saved three Fire penalties, only allowing one in on Schweinsteiger’s attempt. Hildebrandt’s teammates, on the other hand, buried three of their own to lift Cincinnati to its second-consecutive upset and clean sheet against an MLS side.

The official attendance at Nippert Stadium was an astounding 32,287, which goes down as the second-largest crowd in U.S. Open Cup history.

You can follow Kevin on Twitter @KJboxing.

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