FC Cincinnati vs Vancouver Whitecaps FC

July 22, 2026

By FC Cincinnati

July 24^th, 2026

Wednesday marked the first time in four meetings the Orange and Blue defeated the Whitecaps.

A back-and-forth opening 45 minutes ended with FC Cincinnati in front 3-2, the highest-combined scoring first half of any FCC game this season. Pavel Bucha opened the scoring in the 9th minute. Samuel Gidi crossed the center line and put it into another gear up the left flank. Gidi sliced his way into the attacking third and passed it back across midfield, where Kenji Mboma Dem let it through to the far side as a dummy. Bucha was left all alone and took one touch into the box and fired off a shot into the upper corner.

Kévin Denkey scored in the 28th minute with his 10th goal of the season. Ender Echenique calmly received a long pass down the left sideline before dribbling around his marker and through a crowd of defenders. The forward managed to chip a pass from the end line back across in front of Vancouver’s net, where Denkey waited patiently to head home the equalizer.

Evander netted his 10th goal of the season in the 36th minute. He took a pass from Gerardo Valenzuela and turned up field with a head of steam. Between three Vancouver defenders, the All-Star forward took an ambitious shot from just outside the box that pinged off the left post and into the goal to put Cincy back on top.

FC Cincinnati leads Vancouver Whitecaps FC 3-2 at the start of the second half.

Bucha notched his third-career brace with his second goal of the night in the 56th minute. His goal was his 17th career goal for Cincinnati, moving him into 10th all-time in club history in career goals scored. Evander tried to fire off a quick shot from point blank inside the box, but his attempt was blocked and fell right back to him. With limited room for another lane to shoot, he floated a pass over a crowd in front of the net toward the far post. Bucha capitalized on the opportunity with a sweet one-time finish for his second goal of the night.

Wednesday marked the eighth sellout of TQL Stadium this season.

Kevin Denkey almost scores FC Cincinnati's 5th goal of the night after receiving a pass from Pavel Bucha down the sideline in the 74th minute.

Even though the play was eventually called offside, Kyle Smith saves a ball off the goal line.

FC Cincinnati return to action Saturday, July 25 for the first leg of the Hell is Real derby at Columbus Crew. Kickoff from ScottsMiracle-Gro Field is set for 7:15 p.m.