The match may have been played in Ohio, but all eyes were on Costa Rica’s stars as FC Cincinnati defeated the Portland Timbers, 3-0, in Sunday afternoon’s Major League Soccer fixture.
Playing in their inaugural MLS home game at Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati dominated the Timbers behind a goal apiece from Tico defender Kendall Waston and midfielder Allan Cruz. The result marked FC Cincinnati’s first win as a member of the United States’ top soccer league.
Waston tallied Cincinnati’s first goal in the 15th minute with a header that beat Portland goalkeeper Jeff Attinella.
Our first @mls goal scored at Nippert Stadium!!#CINvPOR pic.twitter.com/8FZVRJbtyH
— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) March 17, 2019
“To be honest, I don’t like to make myself a priority — I like to make the team a priority,” Waston, the team’s captain, told reporters. “But it’s huge. It’s like a bonus, especially for a defender.”
His unique celebration? Waston says it was for his 4-year-old son, who had asked him to celebrate in that fashion if he scored.
Cruz doubled Cincinnati’s lead in the 61st minute with a tricky backheel. It was the Costa Rican’s first-ever MLS goal.
A little magic from Alan Cruz! #CINvPOR pic.twitter.com/O4puw2ASwi
— FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) March 17, 2019
French defender Mathieu Deplagne scored two minutes later to secure the final margin.
Cruz and Waston will both be with the Costa Rican National Team when it faces Guatemala and Jamaica in friendlies on March 22 and 26, respectively.
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