FC Cincinnati edged out Vancouver Whitecaps 4-3 in a frantic MLS clash, with Pavel Bucha scoring twice to secure the win. The match featured seven goals and a flurry of action, with the lead changing hands multiple times before Cincinnati held on.
Pavel Bucha opened the scoring in the 9th minute, but Vancouver responded quickly through Jeevan Badwal and Ryan Gauld to go 2-1 up. Cincinnati struck back with Kévin Denkey and Evander before half-time to lead 3-2, then Bucha added his second early in the second half. Ryan Gauld pulled one back for Vancouver two minutes later, but they could not find an equaliser.
Despite having 54% possession, more accurate passes and higher expected goals (0.23 to 0.01), Vancouver could not turn their dominance into a point. Bucha’s brace proved decisive, while Cincinnati’s only shot on target was a goal – a clinical display that earned them the victory.
