FC Cincinnati 2 are set to play host to Chicago Fire FC II on Thursday, August 10, at Scudamore Field at NKU Soccer Stadium for the second meeting between the sides in just over a month. The Orange and Blue will look to take the season series with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. The match will also be streamed live on MLSNEXTPro.com.
FC CINCINNATI 2 vs CHICAGO FIRE FC II – THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2023 – 7 p.m. ET SCUDAMORE FIELD AT NKU SOCCER STADIUM
Keep up with all things FC Cincinnati 2 @FCCincinnati2 on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook
ALL-TIME SERIES
Thursday’s match will be the fifth all-time meeting between the two sides and second of the 2023 season. The Orange and Blue have yet to pick up a win in the series and are 0-3-1 against Fire II.
THE LAST MEETING
It was a defensive battle at SeatGeek Stadium a month ago where the Orange and Blue played to a 0-0 draw against Fire II, picking up two points in a shootout win. Paul Walters led FC Cincinnati 2 to their first clean sheet of the 2023 campaign, making eight saves, a career high, while the Orange and Blue converted on four of their five kicks from the spot in the shootout.
SCOUTING CHICAGO FIRE FC II (7-7-7, 30 PTS., 8TH EASTERN CONFERENCE)
Chicago enters the home stretch of the season battling for a playoff spot as Fire II sit eighth in the Eastern Conference standings, just one point back of seventh place Huntsville City FC, with seven matches remaining. Chicago are winless on the road since June 18 and will look to snap that run of form in what is an important match for the visitors.
Charlie Ostrem and Omari Glasgow continue to pace things offensively for Chicago Fire II as Ostrem leads the team with five goals while Glasgow has four goals and two assists. However, neither player has found the back of the net since July 16, and it has been an attack by committee approach since. Five different players have scored for Chicago over the last three games with Alex Monis helping secure three points against Atlanta United II most recently.
Fire II are not afraid to let it fly as Chicago trail only Sporting Kansas City II for the most attempted shots in MLS NEXT Pro (329). They also know how to create those scoring chances as they sit third in key attacking passes (206). Glasgow leads the team in shots (45) while Sergio Oregel tops the club in attacking assists (31).
An Orange and Blue Debut – Lucas Tamarez made his FC Cincinnati 2 debut Sunday night at Joe Davis Stadium in Huntsville. Tamarez only played six minutes but made an instant impact off the bench and created a chance that nearly brought the Orange and Blue level late.
Weekday matches – FC Cincinnati 2 play their third and final weekday match of the season against Fire II on Thursday. The Orange and Blue are 0-1-1 on Thursdays this season and picked up two points in a shootout win against Atlanta United II on May 25.
Playoffs – Sunday’s result against Huntsville City FC leaves the Orange and Blue ten points off the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with eight matches to play. Chicago trail Huntsville for the seventh and final spot by just one point.
Academy representation – 15 current or former FC Cincinnati Academy products have featured at least once for FC Cincinnati 2 this season. 12 of those players have made at least one start for the Orange and Blue.
