Sergio Santos’ second half winner leads FC Cincinnati to 1-0 victory over New England

FOXBOROUGH, MA– New England Revolution (1-1-4, 4 pts) were defeated 1-0 versus FC Cincinnati (4-1-2, 13 pts) on Saturday Afternoon.

The match kicked off at 7:30 p.m. ET at TQL Stadium to a crowd of 25,000.

Starting XI versus FC Cincinnati.

New England starting lineup: 4-2-3-1 | Aljaž Ivačič, Peyton Miller, Brayan Ceballos, Mamadou Fofana, Ilay Feingold, Alhassan Yusuf, Matt Polster, Carles Gil (C), Luca Langoni, Ignatius Ganago, Maxi Urruti

New England substitutes:| Alex Bono, Brandon Bye, Tanner Beason, Keegan Hughes, Will Sands, Jackson Yueill, Noel Buck, Jack Panayotou, Luis Diaz

FC Cincinnati starting lineup: 3-5-2 | Roman Celentano, DeAndre Yedlin, Lukas Engel, Nick Hagglund, Gilberto Flores, Brad Smith, Luca Orellano, Brian Anunga, Pavel Bucha, Kevin Denkey, Corey Baird

FC Cincinnati substitutes:| Evan Louro, Alvas Powell, Matt Miazga, Gerardo Valenzuela, Stiven Jimenez, Sergio Santos, Stefan Chirila

Starting XI versus FC Cincinnati. Image Courtesy of New England Revolution.

The match kicked off with New England starting from the center circle and decided to build out of the match to begin the match.

FC Cincinatti’s first chance of the match came from a Luca Orellano corner kick in the 7th minute that was met with an acrobatic punch clearance by goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič.

Luca Orellano had yet another opportunity in the 10th minute when his 25-yard freekick effort was blocked away by the New England Revolution wall.

In the 13th minute, FC Cincinnati forward Kevin Denkey was issued a yellow card for diving.

FC Cincinnati players gather in a huddle prior to their matchup versus New England Revolution. Image Courtesy of FC Cincinnati.

FC Cincinnati had a chance in the 15th minute when Kevin Denkey’s instep volley shot went high over the bar.

New England’s first major chance came in the 21st minute when Ilay Feingold’s effort from outside the box just snuck by the left post.

Brayan Ceballos had the best chance of the half when his headed effort struck the left post in the 23rd minute.

Ignatius Ganago had yet another amazing chance in the 30th minute when his left footed effort took a deflection, went through the gloves of goalkeeper Roman Celentano and struck the post and out for a corner kick.

Matt Polster looks to make a play during an MLS match versus FC Cincinnati. Image Courtesy of New England Revolution.

New England had yet another chance in the 38th minute when Luca Langoni’s effort from outside the box was deflected out of play past the left post, however, the referee shockingly gave a goal kick.

In the 39th minute, FC Cincinnati forward Luca Orellano was issued a yellow card for a foul on Peyton Miller.

FC Cincinnati had a massive chance in the 41st minute when forward Kevin Denkey’s effort from ten yards out was sent wide of the posts.

Luca Orellano had yet another chance in the 43rd minute when his left-footed effort snuck just past the right post.

After 45+1 minutes, the match entered halftime with the scoreline level at 0-0.

Half Time between New England Revolution & FC Cincinnati.

The second half kicked off with FC Cincinnati starting from the center circle and decided to build out of the match to begin the match.

New England had the first chance of the half when Ignatius Ganago’s effort was met with a calf-save by Nick Hagglund that then struck his elbow in the 48th minute. No handball was given & play continued.

Less than one minute later, FC Cincinnati had a chance of their own when Luca Orellano’s delivery was met with a punch save by Aljaž Ivačič.

In the 51st minute, Revolution midfielder Matt Polster was issued a yellow card for delaying a quick restart.

Corey Baird had the next chance when his half-volley attempt in the 53rd minute went high and wide over the net.

FC Cincinnati midfielder Luca Orellano looks to make a pass during an MLS match versus New England Revolution. Image Courtesy of FC Cincinnati.

In the 55th minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his first change of the match by replacing Maxi Urruti with Jackson Yueill.

Less than 2 minutes later, in the 57th minute, FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan made his first change of the match by replacing Brad Smith with Sergio Santos.

In the 61st minute, Jackson Yueill was taken down in the area by DeAndre Yedlin. VAR was not called; no penalty was given.

Entering the 64th minute, FC Cincinnati took the lead.

Sergio Santos buries it to give @fccincinnati the lead!

📺 #MLSSeasonPass: https://t.co/IwlVf1mKR7 pic.twitter.com/Whw1tB8DgR

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 6, 2025

Following a shot by Corey Baird that was parried away by goalkeeper Aljaž Ivačič, the ball fell for Pavel Bucha, who then found Sergio Santos for the simple tap-in finish to make it 1-0.

FC Cincinnati almost added to their lead in the 69th minute when Kevin Denkey’s effort was blocked by Brayan Ceballos.

In the 72nd minute, Revolution head coach Caleb Porter made his second change of the match by replacing Luca Langoni with Luis Diaz.

In the 78th minute, FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan made his second change of the match by replacing Correy Baird with Alvas Powell.

Less than one minute later, New England had a chance when Jackson Yueill’s effort deflected out for a corner kick.

In the 81st minute, Revolution defender Peyton Miller was issued a yellow card for kicking the ball off the pitch after a “foul” call by the center official.

Peyton Miller looks to make a pass during an MLS match versus FC Cincinnati. Image Courtesy of New England Revolution.

In the 84th minute, FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan made his third and fourth changes of the match by replacing Sergio Santos & Lukas Engel for Ștefan Chirilă & Gerardo Valenzuela.

FC Cincinnati had yet another chance in the 87th minute when a shot by Luca Orellano deflected off the leg of Peyton Miller & out for a corner kick.

After 90+3 minutes, the match concluded with FC Cincinnati winning the match 1-0.

Full Time between New England Revolution & FC Cincinnati.

The New England Revolution (1-1-4, 4 pts.) are on the road to face off against Eastern Conference side Atlanta United (2-3-2, 9 pts). The match is set to kickoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday, April 12th at 2:45 p.m. ET on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.

(Editor’s Note: For more of Rick Wilson’s and Burt Granofsky’s photos this season, click on the link)