FC Cincinnati’s Late Comeback vs Charlotte | Defensive Issues Continue + Houston Preview

FC Cincinnati rescued another point with a stoppage-time equalizer, but is another late comeback actually a positive sign — or is it covering up the same defensive problems that have followed this team all season? The Orange and Blue battled Charlotte FC to a 3-3 draw at TQL Stadium, with Kévin Denkey scoring twice, including the 90'+1 equalizer, as FC Cincinnati extended its unbeaten streak against Charlotte this season but still failed to beat them in either meeting. Despite setting a new MLS club record with 29 shots and controlling 67% of the possession, FCC once again found itself chasing the game after defensive lapses allowed Charlotte to score three times. Pavel Bucha opened the scoring just two minutes in, but Liel Abada and Pep Biel quickly turned the match around before Denkey tied it in the second half. Idan Toklomati restored Charlotte's lead before Denkey's late set-piece finish earned FCC another draw. We break down what went right, what went wrong, and whether the late-game heroics are becoming a concerning pattern for FC Cincinnati.

There were plenty of positives despite the result. FCC created chances without Evander, who missed the match through suspension, while Obi was also unavailable. Pavel Bucha and Samuel Gidi started in the middle, Gerardo Valenzuela moved into the No. 10 role, Kenji Mboma Dem started at left wingback, and Nick Hagglund returned to the starting XI. Denkey's brace moved him to 13 MLS goals this season and 35 goals in all competitions for FC Cincinnati, surpassing Brenner for fourth on the club's all-time scoring list. Andrei Chirila also picked up the first assist of his professional career, Kristian Fletcher made his MLS regular-season debut for FCC, and the team showed once again that it can create plenty of attacking opportunities even without its biggest playmaker.

But the defensive concerns remain impossible to ignore. FC Cincinnati allowed Charlotte to score twice within the first 17 minutes, and lapses in concentration continued to put the Orange and Blue in a position where they needed another late comeback just to salvage a point. After an incredible 11-2-4 record in away matches over the previous two seasons, FCC's road form has completely flipped in 2026, sitting at 1-5-6 away from home with a -17 goal differential compared to a +5 goal differential on the road in 2025. The result also drops Cincinnati to seventh in the Eastern Conference standings, making the upcoming stretch even more important.

We'll also get into the latest FC Cincinnati news, including Deiver Machado signing with Russian Premier League club Rodina Moscow, Stiven Jimenez joining Brazilian side Fluminense on loan through December with a purchase option and sell-on percentage, and the possibility of an NWSL team coming to Cincinnati after reports that FC Cincinnati ownership has engaged with Racing Louisville about a potential sale and relocation. Plus, Cincinnati native Rose Lavelle earns a nomination for the 2026 Ballon d'Or Féminin as the only USWNT player on the list, and we discuss her chances of winning the award.

We'll also recap FC Cincinnati 2's 1-1 draw and shootout loss to New York Red Bulls II, Jack Mize's first Next Pro goal, our Trivia Question of the Week, Card of the Week, Jersey Swap of the Week featuring Kévin Denkey and Pavel Bucha, and more.

Finally, we look ahead to FC Cincinnati's next opportunity to climb the standings as the Orange and Blue travel to take on Houston Dynamo FC. Houston currently sits third in the Western Conference after making a number of major additions this season, including Lyle Foster, Duncan McGuire, Mateusz Bogusz, Héctor Herrera and Guilherme. Can FCC finally turn its road form around and come away with a statement result against one of the West's top teams?