CINCINNATI — FC Cincinnati kicked off the 2024 MLS season with a draw against Toronto FC.
Floods of Orange and Blue filled TQL Stadium for the scoreless match.
Toronto goalkeeper Sean Johnson turned away four shots in the second half — and seven total — to earn the clean sheet for Toronto, which has opened a season on the road in six straight and 16 of its 17 seasons since joining the league. Toronto snapped a four-game losing streak to Cincinnati.
FCC goalkeeper Roman Celentano made one save in each half in his shutout effort for Cincinnati — winners of the Supporters' Shield last season.
It was the first tie in 11 meetings between the two clubs. Cincinnati leads the series 6-4-1 and is 3-0-1 since moving to TQL Stadium. Toronto has never scored at the venue, while Cincinnati had scored multiple goals in its three previous shutout victories.
Cincinnati opened a season at home for the second time. It was the first afternoon match at TQL since April of 2022. Cincinnati beat the Houston Dynamo to begin last season on its way to a league-high 69 points (20-5-9). Toronto finished with a league-low 22 last season, going 4-20-10.
The last time Toronto won an opener on the road was in 2019 — a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union. Toronto improves to 0-1-3 in February openers. The club is 5-9-4 all time to begin a season.
FCC started the match without forward Aaron Boupendza due to a minor hamstring concern, but he entered the match in the 58th minute. Sergio Santos exited the match when Boupendza entered.
Newly acquired winger Luca Orellano, who is on loan from Brazilian club CR Vasco de Gama, made his debut for FC Cincinnati. Defenders Kipp Keller and Miles Robinson also made their first start for the club.
FCC has started the year off with a bang, winning the first leg of their opening round in the CONCACAF Champions Cup against Cavalier F.C. on Thursday.
FC Cincinnati plays Cavalier F.C. next at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28 in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. In the regular season, they'll face Chicago Fire FC on Saturday, March 2 at 8:30 p.m.
