Replay: Aaron Boupendza, Miles Robinson score in FC Cincinnati win at Chicago Fire

CHICAGO - FC Cincinnati's back in the win column in league play.

FC Cincinnati claimed its first victory in 2024 Major League Soccer play by defeating Chicago Fire FC, 2-1, Saturday at Soldier Field before a crowd of 26,582. FCC improved to 3-0-1 in all competitions on the young season.

Aaron Boupendza capitalized on a Chicago turnover to open up a 1-0 lead in the 39th minute. Later, with the game tied, 1-1-, Miles Robinson scored his first for FC Cincinnati in the 68th minute to provide the eventual game-winner.

"To get our first win in the way we did, I was certainly pleased with a pretty strong first half," FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan said. "I thought we had a good defensive showing in the first half and still created some good looks. We're dangerous on set pieces all night and got the second goal in that fashion. Really pleased for the guys that they got to walk off the field with three points."

FC Cincinnati won at Chicago, marking its first victory since the 2023 MLS Cup playoffs, in the absence of left-wing back Luca Orellano, who revealed later on Saturday he'd returned to Argentina after his father died.

"Obviously, it was really sad news. I think it's public now that Luca lost his father (Friday) and he's back with his family, where he should be," Noonan said. "Really sorry for him and their family and friends for the loss, and we can just be here to support him. It's a tricky situation with a new player in a new country and you're establishing all these relationships and trying to build chemistry, so it's important that we can just show him as much support as possible in a very difficult time."

For a team that's still gelling early in 2024, Orellano's absence triggered two personal alterations as Yuya Kubo moved from playing as a stand-in right back to filling in for Orellano on the left flank. Alvas Powell took Kubo's spot on the right side.

FC Cincinnati nary missed a beat defensively.

In between FCC's two goals, Xherdan Shaqiri netted a penalty kick in the closing seconds of the first half for Chicago, but the goal proved too little for Chicago in the end. The penalty was awarded to Chicago after a video-assistant referee (VAR) review took place following an initial no-call on an Obinna Nwobodo foul.

FC Cincinnati players appeared to disagree strongly with the call, which also resulted in a yellow card for Nwobodo. That sequence was the only pockmark in a game that was otherwise in FC Cincinnati's control for most of the evening.

The disputed goal was FCC's first goal conceded in competitive play over four matches, and Noonan said it was unclear if the penalty call was ultimately the correct one.

"We anticipated that (defensively)," Noonan said. "Miles is a strong player. We can see that, so inserting him into the back line, you can see we haven't lost much in how we defend . . . He's stepped right in and been a presence for us. I've certainly been pleased with the wing-back position because in certain moments, you're gonna need those guys to defend the back post.

"Tonight, for the most part, there was a good balance of not just absorbing and taking on pressure. Certainly in the second half, I thought we were really strong and didn't concede too much."

FC Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano policed his penalty area well. He didn't record a save as Shaqiri's goal was the only on-target attempt for the hosts.

As for Robinson's debut goal for FC Cincinnati, he was happy to tally it even though he said he hoped it would have arrived sooner.

"It's one of those moments that's like a weight off your shoulders because you want to get that first one as soon as possible," Robinson said afterward. "Hopefully it can come in bunches but this definitely gave me confidence to continue to score."

FC Cincinnati returns to game action Thursday when it hosts Monterrey FC of Mexico's Liga MX in CONCACAF Champions Cup play at TQL Stadium. The game is the first in a two-leg, aggregate score series that concludes March 14 at BBVA Stadium in Mexico.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: FC Cincinnati beats Chicago Fire for MLS 2024 win