FC Cincinnati 2 today announced the team’s full 2024 MLS NEXT Pro schedule, in conjunction with the league’s full schedule release Thursday afternoon. The MLS NEXT Pro regular season kicks off on Friday, March 15 and concludes with Decision Day on Sunday, October 6.
The Orange and Blue begin their third MLS NEXT Pro campaign at Scudamore Field at NKU Soccer Stadium against Chicago Fire FC II on Sunday, March 17 at 7 p.m. ET. FC Cincinnati 2 will open the year at home for the second consecutive season and play three of their first four matches in Highland Heights, Ky.
FC Cincinnati 2’s first road match of the year comes in Matchweek 2 against one of the league’s two new independent clubs with a trip to face Chattanooga FC at Finley Stadium on March 23. The Orange and Blue’s first-ever meeting with Carolina Core will be on the road on Saturday, June 15.
All MLS NEXT Pro matches will be broadcast either live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV or streamed on mlsnextpro.com. The most up-to-date information regarding broadcast information for FC Cincinnati 2 games can be found on mlsnextpro.com.
The Orange and Blue will visit in-state rival Columbus Crew 2 for the first meeting of a three-match season series at Lower.com Field on Sunday, May 12. FC Cincinnati 2 will play again in Columbus on Sunday, July 21 at Historic Crew Stadium before hosting Crew 2 at Scudamore Field on Sunday, September 15.
Conference realignment for the 2024 season sees the Orange and Blue move out of the Central Division and into the Northeast Division. The realignment, aimed to create regional rivalries throughout the league, will see FC Cincinnati 2 compete against Chicago Fire II, New England Revolution II, Philadelphia Union II and Toronto FC II in three-match series over the course of the regular season.
FC Cincinnati 2 close out the MLS NEXT Pro regular season at TQL Stadium on Decision Day against Orlando City B in the lone season meeting with the Lions on Sunday, Oct. 6 at 1 p.m. ET. The fixture will be the third MLS NEXT Pro match held at TQL Stadium where the Orange and Blue have yet to suffer defeat.
The 2024 MLS NEXT Pro playoffs, expanded to 16 teams (eight from each conference), begin the weekend of October 18 and remain a pick-your-opponent format through the first two rounds of the postseason competition.
FC Cincinnati 2’s 28-match regular season schedule is listed below. Please note, kickoff times are subject to change.
DATE | OPPONENT | LOCATION/TIME (ET) |
Sun. Mar. 17 | Chicago Fire FC II | Scudamore Field, NKU/7 p.m. |
Sat. Mar. 23 | at Chattanooga FC | Finley Stadium/3 p.m. |
Thu. Mar. 28 | New York Red Bulls II | Scudamore Field, NKU/6 p.m. |
Wed. Apr. 10 | New England Revolution II | Scudamore Field, NKU/6 p.m. |
Sun. Apr. 14 | at Toronto FC II | York Lions Stadium/2 p.m. |
Sun. Apr. 21 | at Atlanta United 2 | Kennesaw State University/3 p.m. |
Sun. Apr. 28 | Philadelphia Union II | Scudamore Field, NKU/4 p.m. |
Sat. May 4 | Crown Legacy FC | Scudamore Field, NKU/4 p.m. |
Sun. May 12 | at Columbus Crew 2 | Lower.com Field/3 p.m. |
Sun. May 19 | at New York Red Bulls II | Montclair State University/5 p.m. |
Sun. May 26 | Inter Miami CF II | Scudamore Field, NKU/7 p.m. |
Thu. Jun. 6 | at Philadelphia Union II | Subaru Park/6 p.m. |
Sat. Jun. 15 | at Carolina Core FC | Truist Point/7:30 p.m. |
Sun. Jun. 23 | Huntsville City FC | Scudamore Field, NKU/7 p.m. |
Sun. Jun. 30 | New England Revolution II | Scudamore Field, NKU/6 p.m. |
Sun. Jul. 7 | New York City FC II | Scudamore Field, NKU/7 p.m. |
Sun. Jul. 14 | at Toronto FC II | York Lions Stadium/3 p.m. |
Sun. Jul. 21 | at Columbus Crew 2 | Historic Crew Stadium/6 p.m. |
Sun. Jul. 28 | Chicago Fire FC II | Scudamore Field, NKU/6 p.m. |
Sat. Aug. 3 | at Philadelphia Union II | Subaru Park/6 p.m. |
Wed. Aug. 7 | at New England Revolution II | Gillette Stadium/11 a.m. |
Fri. Aug. 16 | Carolina Core FC | Scudamore Field, NKU/6 p.m. |
Sun. Sep. 1 | Toronto FC II | Scudamore Field, NKU/7 p.m. |
Sun. Sep. 8 | at Chicago Fire FC II | SeatGeek Stadium/2 p.m. |
Sun. Sep.15 | Columbus Crew 2 | Scudamore Field, NKU/7 p.m. |
Sun. Sep. 22 | at Huntsville City FC | Joe Davis Stadium/7 p.m. |
Sun. Sep. 29 | at New York City FC II | St. John's University Stadium/3 p.m. |
Sun. Oct. 6 | Orlando City B | TQL Stadium/1 p.m. |
Additionally, FC Cincinnati 2 have confirmed their full preseason match schedule. The Orange and Blue will take on Northern Kentucky University on February 17 before visiting Chattanooga Red Wolves on February 21 and Atlanta United 2 on February 24.
FC Cincinnati 2 wrap up their preseason road trip against Louisville City FC on March 3 before returning home to face the University of Kentucky on March 10. The current FC Cincinnati 2 roster is listed below by position and include only players signed to MLS NEXT Pro contracts.
Goalkeepers: Hunter Morse
Defenders: Nico Benalcazar, Amir Daley, Juan Machado
Midfielders: Jesus Castellano, Alejandro Guido, Yair Ramos, Yeiner Valoyes
Forwards: Ben Stitz, Moises Tablante
About FC Cincinnati 2
FC Cincinnati 2 began play in MLS NEXT Pro in 2022. FCC 2 is designed to serve as the bridge between the FCC first team and the Academy and is a professional pathway for players to grow and develop at FC Cincinnati. The club plays its matches at Scudamore Field at NKU Soccer Stadium, Mercy Health Training Center, and TQL Stadium.
About MLS NEXT Pro
Launched in 2022 by Major League Soccer, MLS NEXT Pro is a professional men’s soccer league in the
United States and Canada that completes the pro player pathway from MLS NEXT to MLS first teams. MLS NEXT Pro continues to grow the game through innovation and diversity, bringing professional soccer to new communities and creating opportunities both on and off the field. MLS NEXT Pro will celebrate its third season in 2024 with 29 teams, 27 MLS-affiliated and two independent, Carolina Core FC and Chattanooga FC. Additional MLS-affiliated and independent clubs will join in the years ahead, including Cleveland, Jacksonville Armada FC and Connecticut United FC. The majority of MLS NEXT Pro’s matches are broadcast on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV as part of the groundbreaking partnership between Apple and MLS. For more information about MLS NEXT Pro, visit mlsnextpro.com.
