Cincinnati tallies twice in closing minutes, earns draw vs. NYCFC

Field Level Media|published: Wed 22nd April, 22:11 2026

Apr 22, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York City FC forward Agustín Ojeda (26) runs with the ball during the first half against FC Cincinnati at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images

Andrei Chirila scored in two minutes into second-half stoppage time and Evander converted a penalty kick three minutes later, helping FC Cincinnati rally to a 4-4 draw against host New York City FC on Wednesday.

Chirila, a 17-year-old homegrown defender, converted from outside the box for his first career MLS goal in his second match. NYCFC's Kevin O'Toole subsequently was whistled for a foul in the penalty area, setting up Evander's heroics.

FC Cincinnati's Kevin Denkey scored two goals in his return from a suspension due to yellow-card accumulation.

Roman Celentano made five saves for FC Cincinnati (2-4-3, 9 points), who are 0-3-2 on the road this season.

NYCFC's Nicolas Fernandez scored two goals in the first half to boost his team-leading goal total to eight in nine matches. Fernandez, who scored three goals in 11 matches last season, became the fourth player in franchise history to score at least 10 goals within his first 20 regular-season appearances.

Agustin Ojeda and Talles Magno tallied in the second half and Matthew Freese turned aside two shots for NYCFC (3-3-3, 12 points), who are winless in their past five matches in MLS play (0-3-2).

Fernandez gave NYCFC a 2-1 lead in the 35th minute after running into a through ball from Maxi Moralez and sending a shot past the extended right leg of Celentano.

Ojeda extended NYCFC's advantage in the 53rd minute after chasing down a through ball from Aiden O'Neill before scoring from a sharp angle.

Denkey converted a loose ball following a free kick by Evander to trim NYCFC's lead to 3-2 in the 65th minute, but Magno deftly curled a shot into the far corner of the net in the 79th minute.

In the 20th minute, Celentano was unable to cleanly field a twisting service, and Fernandez alertly deposited the loose ball into the net to open the scoring.

Denkey forged a 1-1 tie 12 minutes later, a converting a cross from Ender Echenique with a leaping left-footed finish at the doorstep.

--Field Level Media

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