Highland Heights, Kentucky (August 16, 2026) - CT United FC completed a three-goal comeback to earn three points from FC Cincinnati 2 on Sunday evening in MLS NEXT Pro play.
Cincinnati quickly earned a two-goal cushion. Stefan Chirila used fancy footwork to get space to shoot inside CT United’s box in the 18th minute, slipping it past Gunther Rankenburg to give Cincinnati the 1-0 lead. Chirila tacked on a second just seven minutes later with a right-footed shot from outside the box that slammed off the inside of the right post and into the back of the net.
The Coywolves thought they had their response in the 32nd minute, but a Barnabas Tanyi would-be goal was ruled as offside. CT United soon answered with a finish that would stand. In first half stoppage time, Andre Applewhaite sent a cross in to Tanyi, who laid it across goal to Dylan Lacy. Lacy finished it first time and sent the Coywolves into the locker room down one with momentum.
CT United came out of the break on the attack and soon found its moment to pounce. A 67th minute long ball was headed on by Tanyi, putting Alex Monis through on goal. Monis attempted to take a touch around goalkeeper Fabian Mrozek, but was taken out by Mrozek and a penalty was awarded. The captain was on it and finished into the left side of the net, crucially tying up the match.
It was a new face that put the Coywolves in the lead in the 75th minute. Defender Lukas Kamrath played a long ball forward to Tanyi, who calmly played it through first time to substitute Bryan Destin. In Destin’s second appearance for the club, he dribbled past an opposing defender before firing it past Mrozek from outside of the box. It’s Destin’s first goal for the club and proved to be the one that earned three points for CT United.
The Coywolves return to winning ways and complete a season sweep of FC Cincinnati 2. CT United currently sit in playoff position at 6th in the Eastern Conference standings. The Coywolves stay on the road for a mid-week fixture on Wednesday against Crown Legacy FC in Matthews, North Carolina. Kick-off scheduled for 7 PM.
CONNECTICUT UNITED FC GAME REPORT
CT United FC vs FC Cincinnati 2
Date: August 16, 2026
Competition: MLS NEXT Pro Regular Season
Venue: NKU Soccer Stadium | Highland Heights, Kentucky
Kickoff: 6:03 p.m. ET
Weather: 86 degrees, Sunny
SCORING SUMMARY: 3-2-FT
CTU: 1-2-3
CIN: 2-0-2
CTU: Dylan Lacy (Barnabas Tanyi) 45+2’, Alex Monis (Pen) 68’, Bryan Destin (Barnabas Tanyi) 75’
CIN: Stefan Chirila (Ademar Chavez) 18’, Stefan Chirila (Yair Ramos) 25’
LINEUPS
CTU: Gunther Rankenburg, Andre Applewhaite, Michael Boamah (Jahvar Stephenson 46’), Lukas Kamrath, Rickson van Hees, Steven Sserwadda (Warren Agostoni 79’), Robbie Mora (Ernesto Gomez 46’), Dylan Lacy (Bryan Destin 46’), Barnabas Tanyi, Daniel D’Ippolito (Laurie Goddard 73’), Alex Monis (C)
Substitutes not used: Anthony Ramos, Neo Che, Cauã Paixão, Ayden Wolanski
Head Coach: Shavar Thomas
CIN: Fabian Mrozek, Ayoub Lajhar, Andrei Chirila (Sami Lachekar 61’), Landon Born, Felix Samson, Deiver Mosquera (Charlie Holmes 75’), Camden Sphire, Yair Ramos, Stefan Chirila, Ademar Chavez (Nathan Gray 88’), Cheikhou Niang (Mathias Vazquez 88’)
Substitutes not used: David Paz, Dominick Lester, Jack Mize, Leo Orejarena, Chance Malilo
Head Coach: Sammy Castellanos
STATS SUMMARY: CTU/CIN
Shots: 13 / 9
Shots on Goal: 6 / 2
Saves: 0 / 3
Corner Kicks: 3 / 4
Fouls: 12 / 15
Offside: 2 / 4
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
CTU: Michael Boamah (Yellow Card) 14’
CTU: Andre Applewhaite (Yellow Card) 60’
CTU: Jahvar Stephenson (Yellow Card) 63’
CIN: Fabian Mrozek (Yellow Card) 67’
CIN: Camden Sphire (Yellow Card) 82’
CTU: Alex Monis (Yellow Card) 90+4’
OFFICIALS
Referee: Salvador Flores
Ast. Referees: Alexandru Focea, Miklos Hendricks
Fourth Official: Aaron Fong