Evander scored a late penalty kick, securing a victory for FC Cincinnati against Chicago Fire. The match showcased Cincinnati's resilience and determination on the road.
Key points
Evander scored a late penalty kick
FC Cincinnati won against Chicago Fire
Match took place on February 21
Cincinnati showed resilience on the road
FC CincinnatiChicago FireEvander
FC Cincinnati defender Nick Hagglund (right) heads the ball on goal during the first half against Atlanta United FC at TQL Stadium Feb. 21.
FC Cincinnati fans in The Bailey section wave flags and cheer on the team during the first half against Atlanta United FC at TQL Stadium Feb. 21.
FC Cincinnati midfielder Evander (10) reaches for his calf after suffering an injury during the first half against Atlanta United FC at TQL Stadium Feb. 21.
FC Cincinnati defender Nick Hagglund (4) passes forward during the first half of their MLS season opener against Atlanta United FC at TQL Stadium Feb. 21.
Players warm up during FC Cincinnati training Feb. 20, 2026 at Mercy Health Training Center in Milford.
Q&A
What was the final score of the FC Cincinnati vs Chicago Fire match?
FC Cincinnati won the match against Chicago Fire with a late penalty kick by Evander.
Who scored the winning goal for FC Cincinnati against Chicago Fire?
Evander scored the winning goal for FC Cincinnati with a late penalty kick.
When did FC Cincinnati play against Chicago Fire?
FC Cincinnati played against Chicago Fire on February 21.
How did FC Cincinnati perform in their match against Chicago Fire?
FC Cincinnati demonstrated strong performance, clinching a win with a late penalty kick.
Related Articles
NHL·Recap
Canes keep rolling, blank Flyers to open semifinal series
Hurricanes dominate Flyers 3-0 to start semifinal series
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Soccer·Recap
Tigres get solid victory over Chivas in first leg of Quarterfinals
Tigres secure a 3-1 victory over Chivas in the Quarterfinals first leg.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
F1·Preview
5 Things to Know About the Miami Formula 1 Grand Prix Race —Including its New Start Time
Miami F1 Grand Prix Start Time Moved to 1 PM Due to Rain Forecast
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NHL·Recap
Canes Dominate Flyers, Start Round 2 with 3-0 Victory
Hurricanes dominate Flyers with a 3-0 victory in Round 2 opener!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NHL·Preview
Full Hurricanes-Flyers Round Two Schedule and How to Watch
Check out the full schedule and how to watch the Hurricanes vs Flyers Round Two!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NBA
Hawks face key decision on Jonathan Kuminga’s future and potential extension
Atlanta Hawks face crucial choice on Jonathan Kuminga's future and extension.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
Players work on their ball skills during FC Cincinnati training Feb. 20, 2026 at Mercy Health Training Center in Milford.
New players for the 2026 season, from left, Bryan Ramirez, Tom Barlow and Kyle Smith warm up during FC Cincinnati training Feb. 20, 2026 at Mercy Health Training Center in Milford.
Kevin Denkey with the ball as FC Cincinnati beat O&M FC 4-0 in the first game of the Concacaf Champions Cup Feb. 18, 2026 in the Dominican Republic.
Tom Barlow passes the ball as FC Cincinnati beat O&M FC 4-0 in the first game of the Concacaf Champions Cup Feb. 18, 2026 in the Dominican Republic.
La Salle graduate Kyle Smith plays the ball in his first game with the club as FC Cincinnati beat O&M FC 4-0 in the first game of the Concacaf Champions Cup Feb. 18, 2026 in the Dominican Republic.
FC Cincinnati's TQL Stadium previewed it's 2026 food selections under Executive Chef Sheldon and local affiliates. President and Co-CEO of FC Cincinnati, Jeff Berding, speaks at the event.
Bryan Ramirez of FC Cincinnati passes the ball as FC Cincinnati lost 1-0 at Minnesota United in Major League Soccer action Feb. 28, 2026
Miles Robinson surveys the field as FC Cincinnati lost 1-0 at Minnesota United in Major League Soccer action Feb. 28, 2026
Mar 15, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; FC Cincinnati forward Ayoub Jabbari (99) keeps his eye on the ball as New England Revolution defender Mamadou Fofana (2) comes from behind during the first half at Gillette Stadium.
Mar 15, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Revolution defender Brayan Ceballos (3) celebrates his first goal during the first half on FC Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano (18) at Gillette Stadium.
Mar 15, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Revolution defender William Sands (23) and FC Cincinnati midfielder Obinna Nwobodo (5) go for a loose ball during the first half at Gillette Stadium.
1 / 16
FC Cincinnati images from the 2026 season
FC Cincinnati defender Nick Hagglund (right) heads the ball on goal during the first half against Atlanta United FC at TQL Stadium Feb. 21.
1 / 16
FC Cincinnati images from the 2026 season
FC Cincinnati defender Nick Hagglund (right) heads the ball on goal during the first half against Atlanta United FC at TQL Stadium Feb. 21.
2 / 16
FC Cincinnati images from the 2026 season
FC Cincinnati fans in The Bailey section wave flags and cheer on the team during the first half against Atlanta United FC at TQL Stadium Feb. 21.
3 / 16
FC Cincinnati images from the 2026 season
FC Cincinnati midfielder Evander (10) reaches for his calf after suffering an injury during the first half against Atlanta United FC at TQL Stadium Feb. 21.
4 / 16
FC Cincinnati images from the 2026 season
FC Cincinnati defender Nick Hagglund (4) passes forward during the first half of their MLS season opener against Atlanta United FC at TQL Stadium Feb. 21.
5 / 16
FC Cincinnati images from the 2026 season
Players warm up during FC Cincinnati training Feb. 20, 2026 at Mercy Health Training Center in Milford.
6 / 16
FC Cincinnati images from the 2026 season
Players work on their ball skills during FC Cincinnati training Feb. 20, 2026 at Mercy Health Training Center in Milford.
7 / 16
FC Cincinnati images from the 2026 season
New players for the 2026 season, from left, Bryan Ramirez, Tom Barlow and Kyle Smith warm up during FC Cincinnati training Feb. 20, 2026 at Mercy Health Training Center in Milford.
8 / 16
FC Cincinnati images from the 2026 season
Kevin Denkey with the ball as FC Cincinnati beat O&M FC 4-0 in the first game of the Concacaf Champions Cup Feb. 18, 2026 in the Dominican Republic.
9 / 16
FC Cincinnati images from the 2026 season
Tom Barlow passes the ball as FC Cincinnati beat O&M FC 4-0 in the first game of the Concacaf Champions Cup Feb. 18, 2026 in the Dominican Republic.
10 / 16
FC Cincinnati images from the 2026 season
La Salle graduate Kyle Smith plays the ball in his first game with the club as FC Cincinnati beat O&M FC 4-0 in the first game of the Concacaf Champions Cup Feb. 18, 2026 in the Dominican Republic.
11 / 16
FC Cincinnati images from the 2026 season
FC Cincinnati's TQL Stadium previewed it's 2026 food selections under Executive Chef Sheldon and local affiliates. President and Co-CEO of FC Cincinnati, Jeff Berding, speaks at the event.
12 / 16
FC Cincinnati images from the 2026 season
Bryan Ramirez of FC Cincinnati passes the ball as FC Cincinnati lost 1-0 at Minnesota United in Major League Soccer action Feb. 28, 2026
13 / 16
FC Cincinnati images from the 2026 season
Miles Robinson surveys the field as FC Cincinnati lost 1-0 at Minnesota United in Major League Soccer action Feb. 28, 2026
14 / 16
FC Cincinnati images from the 2026 season
Mar 15, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; FC Cincinnati forward Ayoub Jabbari (99) keeps his eye on the ball as New England Revolution defender Mamadou Fofana (2) comes from behind during the first half at Gillette Stadium.
15 / 16
FC Cincinnati images from the 2026 season
Mar 15, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Revolution defender Brayan Ceballos (3) celebrates his first goal during the first half on FC Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano (18) at Gillette Stadium.
16 / 16
FC Cincinnati images from the 2026 season
Mar 15, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Revolution defender William Sands (23) and FC Cincinnati midfielder Obinna Nwobodo (5) go for a loose ball during the first half at Gillette Stadium.
For the fourth time this season, FC Cincinnati picked up points late in a game while down a man, rallying for a wild 3-2 win against Chicago Fire FC May 2 at Soldier Field.
Cincinnati is 4-4-3 for 15 points, picking up its first road win in six tries in Major League Soccer play. Chicago stays 5-3-2 for 17 points.
FC Cincinnati midfielder Evander (10) scores a goal during the first half against the Chicago Fire FC at Soldier Field.
FC Cincinnati midfielder Evander (10) scores a goal during the first half against the Chicago Fire FC at Soldier Field.
FC Cincinnati got a hat trick by Evander and eight saves from Roman Celentano, many of them coming in the second half after a red card was shown to Kyle Smith in the 55th minute.
The biggest one was on a penalty kick by Hugo Cuypers in second-half stoppage time after Ayoub Lajhar fouled Philip Zinckernagel in the box.
Celentano saved the PK by diving to his right. The ball bounced around the middle of the goal box and Chicago had a couple of chances before the ball was cleared away.
Minutes later, Pavel Bucha was knocked down in Chicago’s goal box. Evander connected on the PK for his third goal of the game and his third PK in as many games. Evander now has five goals for the season after scoring twice in the first half in the run of play.
It is the fifth time in the team’s last seven games that FCC has scored in stoppage time or very late in regulation to earn a win or a draw.
“Sometimes, things don’t make sense,” said FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan. “We're still trying to piece together some things. We're still scrambling too often. I don't want to be too critical because they should feel good about how they have come out of this period of red cards and injuries and all of it. I think we have to find more control of a lot of things, and really just decision making.”
“I think this group has so much mentality in those moments that we need to step up when we lose a man,” Evander said. “Of course, we don't want that to happen, but we know that when we play soccer, it can happen, and we need to be ready for that. And I think the team has always been ready for those type of moments even though we've been struggling at the beginning of the season. The mentality of not giving up, it was always there.”
Bucha had an X-ray taken after the game, which was negative. Noonan said he might have sprained an ankle but he praised Bucha’s toughness to stay in the game.
Evander’s winner negated two goals from Cuypers, Chicago’s star striker, who also had two in a 3-3 draw with Cincinnati two weeks ago. He has six goals in his last three games and 10 for the season.
Celentano’s heroics saved the day as Chicago was credited with an eye-popping 32 shots for the game, and 3.4 expected goals. Cincy has only 11 shots, only four on target, and 1.9 expected goals.
First half highlights
Chicago Fire FC defender Andrew Gutman (15) and FC Cincinnati forward Kenji Mboma Dem (17) battle for control of the ball during the first half at Soldier Field.
Chicago Fire FC defender Andrew Gutman (15) and FC Cincinnati forward Kenji Mboma Dem (17) battle for control of the ball during the first half at Soldier Field.
Hugo Cuypers scored twice in the first half on assists to the middle of the box by Philip Zinckernagel.
Evander scored twice for Cincinnati, his first two goals from the run of play this year after a pair of penalty kicks in recent weeks.
Cuypers gave Chicago a 1-0 lead after he was left open near the penalty spot.
Evander tied it from right in front of the net after a cross from Pavel Bucha and a deflection off a Chicago player.
Cuypers scored again in the 28th minute on a similar play to his first goal, with a cross from Zinckernagel, and it was 2-1.
Evander scored in the 31st minute after Chicago left him open near the top of the box and he fired a rocket inside the post from 20 yards.
“I think his engagement, his understanding of his importance to the team, the role in different moments has improved,” Noonan said. “It’s our job to continue to understand how to help him be impactful for our team, because he's a gamechanger. He's been excellent in this recent stretch, and we'll try to keep that going.”
Cincinnati’s Kyle Smith was sent off with a red card in the 55th minute after accidentally kicking Chicago’s Robin Lod in the face as both vied for the ball. The La Salle High School grad had only one red card in seven years with Orlando City. The TV broadcasters felt it was an unfair call as Smith didn’t see Lod until the last second. Noonan said he would have to look at replays to judge it.
Lineup notes
Cincinnati used the same starting lineup as in last week’s 2-0 win over Red Bull New York. Andrei Chirila centered the back line with Smith and Samuel Gidi, with Bucha playing out wide at right wingback. Matt Miazga and Nick Hagglund came into the game in the second half. Noonan said neither one was ready to play 90 minutes.
What’s next for FC Cincinnati?
Cincinnati goes back on the road next weekend, playing at Charlotte FC at Bank of American Stadium. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. May 9. Charlotte lost 1-0 at New England May 2 and is 4-4-2.