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FC Cincinnati make a statement in dominant 6-1 win over Inter Miami CF | FC Cincinnati

Published

1 year ago

July 6, 2024

FC Cincinnati make a statement in dominant 6-1 win over Inter Miami CF | FC Cincinnati

With the top spot on the line, FC Cincinnati welcomed then leaders Inter Miami CF into TQL Stadium for a rare top of the table clash and made a statement to the league in record-breaking fashion. For just the second time in MLS history the top two teams in MLS met in a match after the 21 matchday in a season and it was the second place team who came out on top as FCC took the fight to Miami and emerged with a 6-1 win.

While both sides were without significant players as injury, suspension and international duty kept many out of the match, FC Cincinnati’s quality was evident from the opening kick through the final whistle, sending wave after wave of relentless attack at Miami while holding steadfast on defense.

It was the visitors who had the first scoring chance of the night, as a headed corner kick forced a diving save from Roman Celentano, but from there it was all Orange and Blue in the opening quarter of an hour.

With a new formation fueling a dynamic attacking force with Luciano Acosta, Luca Orellano and Yuya Kubo up top, FC Cincinnati attacked the Miami defense with waves of relentless creativity. It took world-class saves from Inter Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender to keep FCC off the scoreboard.

But eventually it was too much, and the creativity of Orellano, who started the match as an attacking midfielder rather than a wingback, broke through on a brilliant run and pass to Yuya Kubo, who scored the game’s first goal in the 10 minute giving FCC the early lead.

The goal was possible thanks to a brilliant run from Kubo, who timed his moment to avoid being offside when the final pass from Orellano (who showed great restraint in waiting to pass) came to pot his career high eighth goal of the MLS season on Orellano’s sixth assist of the year.

But Miami wouldn’t go quietly and pressured FCC on the other end, with Roman Celentano making three key saves in important moments. But on a corner kick the keeper was left helpless, as Sergii Kryvtsov broke free and headed in the equalizer in the 20 minute.

But the MLS MVP would not be denied in the half. With a clear fire in his play and the quality to match, FC Cincinnati’s Luciano Acosta pushed his club forward and dribbled through three Inter Miami CF defenders before losing a shot to the back post past Callender to restore the FC Cincinnati lead.

But Acosta was not yet finished. Moments later, with the smoke from The Bailey still in the air from his goal, he played the maestro; orchestrating a perfect corner kick service to Pavel Bucha, who one touch swung and volleyed home his fourth goal of the season to double the FC Cincinnati lead in the 38 minute.
The initial goal was Acosta’s 10th of the season in MLS play (11 all comps), it was also his 50th goal across all-time in all comps with the club, the first FCC player to reach that mark. Obinna Nwobodo also earned his second assist of the year for his effort on the play. The Bucha goal, his third in two games, earned Acosta his 17 assist on the year.

The Orange and Blue were not finished though. With the two goal lead and smelling blood in the water, Acosta continued to push for more. With time running out in the first half, the 2023 MLS MVP picked the pocket of a Miami defender and launched an attack. With a field width long crossing pass that confused The Herrons defense, Lucho found Yamil Asad on the far post and the fellow Argentine patient took a touch, waiting and waiting for the perfect moment before sending a shot through five-o’clock-traffic like defense to score the fourth goal of the first half.

The goal would ultimately be the final play of the half, capping off one of the best 45 minutes in club history. The four goal effort was just the second time FCC had scored four goals in the first half (2022 decision day) and the second time this season they’ve scored four in any half (4-2, at San Jose).

The second half kicking off with no changes for either side, FC Cincinnati weathered an early storm from Inter Miami CF as they attempted to get back into the game quickly. After five minutes without a dangerous look from the visitors, FCC launched back into their attack and picked right up where they left off.

Orellano and Kubo linked up again to start the scoring in the second half, as the Argentine attacker danced through the defense along the back line before chipping it to a wide open Kubo for the duo’s second goal of the evening and the fifth goal of the night. DeAndre Yedlin, a former member and captain of Inter Miami CF, also earned an assist.

With the game already well in Cincinnati’s favor, Inter Miami cracked under the pressure and made their lives much harder. Acting captain Sergio Busquests took exception to a foul called against his side and earned a yellow card for dissent. Not liking that reaction from the ref, Busquests continued to argue and the official deemed he had stepped over a line and gave the Spanish star a second yellow card and a red card, ejecting him from the match and forcing Miami to play with 10 men for the final half hour of the match.

In response to the new advantage, Pat Noonan decided to go to his bench and bring on youngsters Bret Halsey and Gerardo “Dado” Valenzuela” for the goal scoring pair of Orellano and Kubo, who were both one yellow card away from suspension.

Valenzuela, a Boca Raton native and a former Miami academy player before joining the FC Cincinnati academy, made history in his appearance by scoring the sixth goal of the night, equalling a club high. But more importantly, the goal, scored in the 72 minute and assisted by Acosta and Asad, was the 19-year-olds first career goal in MLS in play.

With the strike from the keeper’s left and slotted under the defender, Valenzuela made it 6-1, the ultimate winning score for FCC.

With the victory, not only was a statement made but a lead taken, as FC Cincinnati earned all three points and took the lead atop the Eastern Conference and Supporters’ Shield tables with 48 points and a 15-4-3 record while still having a game in hand over the now second place Inter Miami CF.

FC Cincinnati will look to take this momentum into next week’s home match, the second of three at home, when they take on Charlotte FC. They will then host Chicago Fire FC on Wednesday, July 17 before jetting off to New York Red Bulls for the final match of MLS play before kicking off Leagues Cup 2024.

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Miami, FL

Texas A&M takeaways: Aggies offense sputters in playoff loss to Miami

Published

18 minutes ago

December 20, 2025

Press Room

Texas A&M takeaways: Aggies offense sputters in playoff loss to Miami

Battered Aggie Syndrome strikes again.

Texas A&M football’s season ended in the first round of the College Football Playoff, falling Saturday to Miami 10-3. The Aggies’ offense stood on the 5-yard line with 24 seconds left and a chance to tie the game when Hurricanes defensive back Bryce Fitzgerald intercepted quarterback Marcel Reed, ending the dream of a CFP quarterfinal against Ohio State.

MORE: Recap from Texas A&M’s College Football Playoff loss to Miami

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Texas A&M outgained Miami 326-278 in total yards of offense and ran 26 more plays. However, the Aggies lost the turnover battle three to one and failed to take advantage of the opportunities presented to them.

Here are some takeaways from Texas A&M’s loss:

Texas A&M’s inability to capitalize

After tying the game 3-3 to start the fourth quarter, Texas A&M found momentum when safety Dalton Brooks ripped the ball out of Malachi Toney’s hands with 7 minutes, 11 seconds left. The Aggies recovered the fumble at their own 47-yard line, but were unable to make anything of the field position, punting after a single first down.

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The defense had held firm for all of three quarters, allowing a field goal and holding Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck to 80 passing yards. But the offense was a different story, as untimely turnovers and inaccurate passes from Reed kept the unit from ever finding a rhythm.

Reed’s best drive of the day came after Miami went up 10-3. With just under two minutes remaining, he led the Aggies 70 yards in 10 plays. He made quick decisions, used his legs effectively and connected with wide receiver KC Concepcion for a 14-yard completion to set up first-and-goal. But the Aggies couldn’t close out the drive.

Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed (10) is tackled during the round one College Football Playoff game against Miami at Kyle Field on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025 in College Station, Texas.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Aggies’ run defense collapses

The Aggies allowed 38 yards rushing in the first half, stonewalling the Hurricanes’ offensive line and running back Mark Fletcher Jr. But Miami began to get its run game churning in the third quarter, rushing for 47 yards on nine attempts. An injury at the end of the period to Aggies defensive lineman Albert Regis — one of their best run defenders — exacerbated the issue. Fletcher proceeded to rip off a 56-yard run with 4:01 remaining, which set up the game-winning 11-yard jet sweep pass to Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney.

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The Aggies allowed 91 rushing yards in the fourth quarter, despite holding the Hurricanes to 85 yards for the rest of the game.

A special teams spectacle

With winds gusting up to about 30 mph, each team’s kickers struggled to find the uprights in Kyle Field.

Aggies kicker Jared Zirkel began the day by mis-hitting a 22-yard attempt, allowing Hurricanes defensive lineman Rueben Bain to block the low-driven kick. Miami’s Carter Davis, who’d missed only two kicks all season, saw his 47-yard field goal in the second quarter fly wide right of the post. He missed attempts from 40 and 35 yards as well.

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Instead of sticking with Zirkel, A&M head coach Mike Elko turned to former starter Randy Bond, who was 11-for-18 entering the game. The kicker took advantage of his opportunity, tying the game on a 35-yard field goal despite a bad hold.

Elko dug into his bag of tricks toward the end of the second half. Aggies punter Tyler White faked a punt with less than two minutes remaining in the half, but defensive back Marcus Ratcliffe failed to bring in White’s pass.

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Why did Carson Beck transfer to Miami? Revisiting ex-Georgia QB’s move

Published

12 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Press Room

Why did Carson Beck transfer to Miami? Revisiting ex-Georgia QB’s move

This time last year, Carson Beck had his first College Football Playoff start taken away from him due to a season-ending elbow injury in the SEC Championship game.

Fast forward a year and the veteran quarterback is set to make that long-awaited start against No. 7 Texas A&M at noon ET inside Kyle Field in College Station, Texas.

Only, it isn’t happening with the team he led to the CFP last season.

Instead, it comes with No. 10 Miami, which, just like Beck, is making its debut in college football’s biggest stage.

“It’s honestly unreal to just kind of step back and look at the whole of everything that’s happened,” Beck said in a Dec. 17 interview. “And it’s surreal to get to this point, honestly and to realize everything I’ve been through and realize the adversity that I’ve had to face and overcome.”

Beck has led the Hurricanes to a 10-2 record this season and is looking to lead the program to its first CFP win. Should Miami pull off the upset against Texas A&M, the Hurricanes will advance to the Cotton Bowl CFP quarterfinal against No. 2 Ohio State on New Year’s Eve.

Here’s a look back at why Beck transferred to Miami:

Where did Carson Beck transfer from?

Beck transferred from Georgia. He spent five seasons with the Bulldogs, with his final years coming as the starting quarterback.

Why did Carson Beck transfer to Miami?

The decision by the ex-Georgia quarterback to enter the portal was a head-scratching one to an extent, largely because he announced on Dec. 28 on his social media he was declaring for the NFL draft.

“I will forever cherish the memories that have been made,” Beck wrote in that initial NFL declaration post. “Thank you Dawg Nation for the time I’ve been here and to those who’ve supported and believed in me, thank you. It’s been an incredible journey and all these moments have ultimately led me to take the next step in my football career.”

He officially announced on Jan. 9 he was entering his name into the NCAA transfer portal. He announced his decision to return home to the state of Florida to play for the Hurricanes on Jan. 10. As noted by USA TODAY Sports’ Matt Hayes, Georgia wanted to keep Beck in Athens. One of the Bulldogs’ SEC rivals, Alabama, also showed an interest in Beck before he committed to Miami.

As for the reason behind Beck’s decision to transfer, that can likely be pointed to his season-ending elbow injury that he sustained during the SEC championship. Since he needed surgery to repair his UCL in his throwing arm, Beck wouldn’t have been able to throw during the heart of the NFL draft workout schedule with teams.

“This is my future, and I think that this decision is one of the better decisions I’ve made,” Beck said at ACC Kickoff in July. “Just trying to develop those relationships and that camaraderie, it’s just reinforced my decision in a positive way.”

Carson Beck stats

Here’s a look at Beck’s career stats at Georgia and Miami:

2021 (Georgia): 10 of 23 passing (43.5%) for 176 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions
2022 (Georgia): 26 of 35 passing (74.3%) for 310 yards with four touchdowns
2023 (Georgia): 302 of 417 passing (72.4%) for 3,941 yards with 24 touchdowns and six interceptions; 116 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns on 60 carries
2024 (Georgia): 290 of 448 passing (64.7%) for 3,485 yards with 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions; 71 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown on 55 carries
2025 (Miami): 263 of 353 passing (74.7%) for 3,072 yards with 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions; 39 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown on 38 carries

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Jumpshots Galore: Keys for the Miami Heat to overcome the Boston Celtics

Published

1 day ago

December 19, 2025

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Jumpshots Galore: Keys for the Miami Heat to overcome the Boston Celtics

The Miami Heat will face off against the Boston Celtics, who are ahead of the Heat by half a game in the Eastern Conference standings, on Friday night.

Here are some things they will need to hone in on to end up on the other side of the game with a win:

Be careful what you wish for: The Heat, for several years now, no matter what defensive scheme they’re deploy, are going to give up a high volume amount of threes. The Celtics, who take the fourth-highest amount of shots from three, will gladly take the Heat up on their offer. Unlike the Brooklyn Nets, who also like to take a ton of threes, the Celtics convert them at a decent clip.

The Heat will have a lot to be wary of in this aspect, as eight or nine of their ten rotation players are either high-volume three-point shooters or threats to ge them up. Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, Anfernee Simons, Sam Hauser, Josh Minott, Baylor Scheierman, Hugo Gonzalez and Jordan Walsh combine to shoot around 43 threes per game.

The Celtics take the lowest percentage of shots coming at the rim, with the lowest free throw rate and eighth-lowest percentage of shots coming from the short mid-range, but make them at a high level. Additionally, they take the second-highest amount of long mid-rangers and also convert those at an elite clip.

Time to break the slump: The Heat will need to hit some threes if they want to win this game. On defense, the Celtics, like the Heat, are going to play the gaps and allow opponents to take shots beyond the arc. They give up the eighth-highest percentage of opponent shots coming from three, (Heat sixth-highest).

Since Dec. 3rd (the first loss in their recently snapped five-game losing streak), the Heat have converted just 29.4 percent of their threes. Although they got away with another stinker from three against the Nets on Thursday, that type of shooting will likely not cut it against a Celtics defense that allows the second-lowest percentage of opponent shots at the rim.

The Celtics foul at one of the highest rates in the league, and with the Heat’s preference of taking shots in the paint combined with their recent stretch of rough three-point shooting, they will need to hit their free throws in this one. This has been a struggle for the Heat, who rank among the bottom 10 in free throw percentage in the NBA.

Possession Battle: A big part of the Celtics’ somewhat unexpected early-season success has been their ability to consistently win this aspect of the game.

They have the fourth-best offensive rating in the league, and, on top of their high-level shotmaking, they have the best turnover percentage and the fifth-best offensive rebound percentage in the league. They also do a good job of turning teams over.

The Celtics’ weak point in this aspect has been their defensive rebounding, another similarity they share with the Heat, giving up the fourth-highest offensive rebound percentage. The offensive glass is not exactly the Heat’s strong suit, but with Kel’el Ware likely starting again, they will have the opportunity to out-size them and, ideally, get extra opportunities.