Leagues Cup: FC Cincinnati vs Pumas UNAM

August 7, 2026

By FC Cincinnati

August 8^th, 2026

FC Cincinnati defeated Pumas, 2-0, Friday evening at TQL Stadium in Leagues Cup 2026 Phase One action. The Orange and Blue have won their first two Leagues Cup matches to move into second place in the MLS Phase One standings with one match remaining.

Leagues Cup: FC Cincinnati vs Pumas UNAM

With six points through two matches, the Orange and Blue will face Atlas FC on Tuesday at TQL Stadium. The top-four MLS clubs based on points earned throughout Phase One will advance to the Leagues Cup Quarterfinals, taking place in late August.

Pavel Bucha opened the scoring for Cincinnati in first-half stoppage time. His 45’+1 goal marked his fifth-career Leagues Cup goal, which levels him with Brandon Vazquez as FC Cincinnati’s all-time leader in goals in the competition. Evander received the ball at the top of the box and found Bucha inside. The Czech international cut inwards and took a touch before firing a left-footed shot on target, which Pumas keeper Keylor Navas was able to get a hand to but unable to keep out of the back of the net.

Kenji Mboma Dem would close it out for the Orange and Blue in second-half stoppage time, scoring a late 90’+3 goal to secure the victory for FC Cincinnati. With Pumas pushing numbers forward, Ender Echenique started a counter, pushing the ball ahead towards Mboma Dem down the right side. Mboma Dem beat his defender, taking a pair of touches before drilling home a left-footed shot for his second goal in as many matches.

Evan Louro made four saves in the clean sheet win.

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