29 Shots, Six Goals: Cincinnati and Charlotte Share the Points

A six-goal draw at TQL Stadium

FC Cincinnati and Charlotte drew 3-3 at TQL Stadium on Saturday, September 12, with Cincinnati recovering twice from a deficit before Kevin Denkey’s late equaliser secured a share of the points. The result leaves Charlotte fifth in the Eastern Conference on 39 points from 24 games, while Cincinnati are seventh with 31 points from 23 matches.

Fast start and changing lead

Cincinnati took the lead after two minutes when Pavel Bucha finished a move assisted by Tom Barlow. Charlotte responded quickly: Liel Abada levelled in the seventh minute, and Pep Biel converted a penalty in the 17th to put the visitors 2-1 ahead at half-time.

Abada was replaced by Rodolfo Aloko in the 44th minute, but Charlotte extended its advantage six minutes after the interval. Idan Toklomati Jorno scored in the 51st minute with assistance from Rodolfo Aloko. Cincinnati answered four minutes later, as Kevin Denkey converted Andrei Chirilă’s assist to make it 3-2.

The hosts continued to press for a way back. Bryan Ramirez replaced Barlow in the 56th minute, while Brandt Bronico came on for Luca De La Torre in the 70th. Cincinnati also introduced Kristian Fletcher and Teenage Hadebe for Chirilă and Nick Hagglund in the 74th minute. Charlotte later brought on Morrison Agyemang for Will Cleary.

Cincinnati controlled the ball but not the scoreline

The statistics showed a strong territorial performance from Cincinnati. They held 69% possession, completed 580 accurate passes compared with Charlotte’s 239, and finished with 29 shots to the visitors’ eight. Cincinnati also led 17-5 in shots inside the box and 12-3 on corner kicks.

That advantage did not translate into victory. Charlotte scored three times from only four shots on target, while Cincinnati’s seven-goalkeeper-save total for Charlotte underlined the pressure faced by the visitors. Cincinnati recorded 10 shots on goal, but the defensive resistance kept the contest level after Denkey’s second goal.

Denkey leads the individual performances

Denkey was the standout player, earning a 9.0 rating after playing all 90 minutes. His two goals and three shots on target made him central to Cincinnati’s comeback. Bucha also scored and posted an 8.2 rating, while Charlotte’s Toklomati Jorno received 7.9 after scoring in 78 minutes.

The disciplinary record remained limited. Cincinnati’s Samuel Mawuena Gidi and Kenji Mboma Dem were booked in the 76th and 81st minutes, while Charlotte’s Rodolfo Aloko received a yellow card in the 83rd. No red cards were shown. The draw extends a mixed recent sequence for both teams, with Cincinnati’s listed form showing two losses before the match and Charlotte arriving after a draw.