Chicago City Wire

Chicago Fire FC II fell 5-0 to FC Cincinnati 2 on Sunday afternoon in Northern Kentucky. The match saw six Chicago Fire Academy players in the starting lineup, with an additional five options on the bench. Charlie Norkett, Bryce Richards, Kruz Held, Josue Pfrommer, and Damyan Villanueva made their MLS NEXT Pro debuts for Chicago.

Fielding the youngest side in team history, Chicago threatened early but conceded when Guilherme Santos assisted Kenji Mboma Den, who chipped goalkeeper Patrick Los. Shortly before halftime, a foul in the Chicago box led to a penalty kick converted by Stefan Chirila.

The second half began similarly; Los saved Chirila’s second penalty attempt but could not stop further goals. Santos scored from a header off Mboma Den's cross in the 58th minute. Moises Tablante added another goal four minutes later with a long-distance shot. Despite substitutions injecting energy into Chicago's play, Benjamin Stitz secured Cincinnati's fifth goal.

Chicago Fire FC II: GK Los (Stechnjij, 66’), D Cupps, D Konincks (Pfrommer, 66’), D Norkett (Nagle, 45’), M Richards, M Calle, M Blake (Held, 45’), M Granda, F Poreba (capt.) (Villanueva, 80’), F Shokalook, F Soudan

FC Cincinnati 2: GK Morse, D Machado, D Gibert, D Schaefer; M Tablante (Castellano 66'), M Benalcázar; M Ramos; M Daley; F Mboma Dem (Valoyes 78'); F Santos (Mangione 66'); F Chirila (Stitz 71')

Subs not used: GK Broz; D Kuisel; D Stout; D Matuskiewicz; M Hylton

Stats Summary: CIN / CHI

Shots: 21 / 4

Shots on Goal: 12 / 0

Passing Accuracy: 84.3% / 76.9%

Saves: 0 /7

Corners:6/2

Fouls:17/17

Offsides:2/1

Possession:%57.1/%42.9

Referee: Anya Voigt Assistant Referee1:Jke Brochu Assistant Referee2 Christian Little Fourth Official Ali Zolgharnain