Pavel Bucha Shines as FC Cincinnati's Star After World Cup
WHO:
Cincinnati Enquirer - Pavel Bucha, FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan, teammates Evander and Kévin Denkey, FCC forward Kenji Mboma Dem.
MLSsoccer.com - Pat Noonan, Evander.
WHAT:
Yahoo Sports - Bucha's goal against Pumas UNAM marked his fourth goal in five games since the World Cup break.
MLSsoccer.com - Evander has contributed to four goals and six assists in Cincinnati’s five games across MLS and Leagues Cup since returning from the FIFA World Cup break.
Cincinnati Enquirer - Pavel Bucha scored a goal in FC Cincinnati's 2-0 victory over Pumas UNAM in the 2026 Leagues Cup.
Cincinnati Enquirer - Bucha has scored six goals this season, with four of those goals coming in the last five games since the World Cup break.
Cincinnati Enquirer - Bucha led FC Cincinnati in goals with four across four games since July 22.
MLSsoccer.com - FC Cincinnati secured a 2-0 victory over Pumas UNAM, putting them on the brink of advancing to the Leagues Cup quarterfinals for the first time in club history.
MLSsoccer.com - Evander provided a key assist for Bucha's goal in first-half stoppage time.
WHERE:
Cincinnati Enquirer - The match took place at TQL Stadium.
MLSsoccer.com - The victory was part of the Leagues Cup tournament.
WHEN:
Cincinnati Enquirer - The match against Pumas UNAM occurred on August 7, 2026.
Cincinnati Enquirer - MLS play resumed on July 22, 2026.
MLSsoccer.com - Pat Noonan achieved his 100th win with FC Cincinnati on August 7, 2026.
WHY:
Cincinnati Enquirer - Bucha emphasized that his scoring increase is largely due to his mindset, stating, "It's a lot about mindset. Running into the box and just believing that the ball will find me sometimes, and then I have to take those chances and score from them."
Cincinnati Enquirer - Bucha cited his mindset and being receptive to the ball as reasons for his increased scoring.
MLSsoccer.com - The team's experiences in previous tournaments helped them understand the nature of these games.
HOW:
Cincinnati Enquirer - Bucha played as FCC's right wing back, a position where he has scored five of his six goals this season.
Cincinnati Enquirer - Bucha played as a right wing back, a position where he scored five of his six goals.
MLSsoccer.com - Evander's assist contributed to Bucha's goal, showcasing their effective link-up play.
(UPDATED August 9, 2026 03:01 UTC)
Bucha's impressive performance against Pumas UNAM saw him net his fourth goal in just five games since the World Cup break, while Evander has also been making waves by contributing to four goals and six assists for Cincinnati in their last five matches across MLS and Leagues Cup. Bucha attributes his scoring surge to a positive mindset, emphasizing the importance of believing the ball will find him and seizing those scoring opportunities. Notably, he has excelled in his role as FCC's right wing back, where he has scored five of his six goals this season.
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(UPDATED August 8, 2026 19:26 UTC)
Pavel Bucha scored a crucial goal in FC Cincinnati's 2-0 victory over Pumas UNAM, helping the team edge closer to their first-ever advancement to the Leagues Cup quarterfinals. Bucha, who has been on a scoring spree with six goals this season, received a key assist from Evander during first-half stoppage time. Head coach Pat Noonan celebrated his 100th win with the club as they continue to build on their momentum since the resumption of MLS play.