FC Cincinnati 2 square off against Orlando City B Monday night in their third and final meeting of the season at Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
MATCH INFORMATION
FC Cincinnati 2 at Orlando City B
Date: August 29, 2022
Competition: MLS NEXT Pro Regular Season
Site: Osceola Heritage Park, Kissimmee, Florida
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Stream: MLSNEXTPro.com
SEASON SERIES
May 29, 2022, Osceola Heritage Park - ORL (3:5) CIN
ORL – M. Tablante (14’), J. Lynn (24’, 64’ PK)
CIN – N. Markanich (23’, 43’), B. Hackenberg (48’ OG), A. Flanagan (79’), A. Akindele (85’)
June 25, 2022, NKU Soccer Stadium – CIN (1:3) ORL
CIN – A. Cruz (35’)
ORL – J. Lynn (22’), M. Bravo (30’), M. Tablante (85’)
LATEST RESULTS
FCC 2 were officially eliminated from playoff contention following their 2-1 defeat to Toronto FC II on Aug 21. Toronto jumped out to an early lead before a second-half goal from Mario Penagos, his first for the Orange and Blue, leveled things in the 79th minute. Alec Diaz scored the winning goal five minutes later to secure three points for the hosts.
OCB took a point from Columbus Crew 2 in a physical battle that saw a combined thirty fouls and two OCB players sent off in the final five minutes of the match. OCB scored two first-half goals while Isaiah Parente (CLB) and Neicer Acosta (ORL) exchanged penalties. Marco Micaletto tied the match in the 76th minute leading to an extra-time shootout win for Columbus.
KNOW YOUR OPPONENT
Orlando City B sit 9th in the Eastern Conference table following this weekend's MLS NEXT Pro action. It’s been an up-and-down season for the Lions who have won six matches while losing ten and playing to four extra-time shootouts. OCB haven’t yet been eliminated from the playoffs but will need to win their last four matches to have a shot at postseason play. Despite their position in the table, OCB are dangerous in the attacking third having scored 36 goals, the third highest total in the east.
WHO/WHAT TO WATCH
NICK MARKANICH – Nick Markanich put on an offensive clinic against OCB on May 29 scoring two goals, adding one assist, and taking seven shots, a season-high for any FCC 2 player. Markanich has made 12 appearances for the 2s this season and leads the team in assists (4), shots (37), and shots on target (15). Markanich is the undisputed danger man for FCC 2 if he is available for selection on Monday.
JACK LYNN – Lynn is arguably the most complete forward in the league and has the numbers to prove it. Lynn leads MLS NEXT Pro in shots (66), shots on goal (36), and, with his 15th goal of the season against Rochester, is tied for a league lead in goals. Lynn has scored in each of the two meetings against the Orange and Blue and has scored three of Orlando's six goals in the series.
GOALS, GOALS, GOALS – There was no shortage of action the last time FCC 2 met OCB in Central Florida. The Orange and Blue scored five goals in the win, the highest total of the season while OCB netted three of their own. The eight combined goals is tied for a league-high.
GOALKEEPERS, BE READY – No two teams have seen more shots against this season than FCC 2 and OCB. OCB tops the league in that department, facing a total of 155 shots while FCC sit second at 131. OCB have fared better than FCC 2 at stopping those shots with a 73% and 62.5% save percentage, respectively.
ACADEMY REPRESENT – Nick McHenry made his pro debut for the Orange and Blue last time out against Toronto FC II, starting and playing 90 minutes in the loss. Matt Dreas picked up his first start for FCC 2 in his second appearance of the season. 20 FCC Academy players have featured for the 2s this year and will continue to do so through the end of the season.
COACHES CORNER
“Orlando are playing well. They beat us here last time but I thought we were in the game until we made a mistake that cost us. They have been good, especially at home. They are going to pressure you, they are going to attack on the counter, so, we just need to come in with the game plan we have and execute. Hopefully, that leads to us scoring a few goals and keeping them from scoring on us.”
Head Coach Tyrone Marshall ahead of tonight's match
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 NKU Soccer Stadium, Mercy Health Training Center, and TQL Stadium.
ABOUT MLS NEXT PRO
Launched in March 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. With 21 Clubs competing during the inaugural season – 20 MLS-affiliated and one independent club, Rochester New York FC – MLS NEXT Pro is growing the game through innovation and diversity by bringing professional soccer to new communities and creating opportunities both on and off the field. Seven MLS-affiliated clubs will join MLS NEXT Pro in 2023, pending sanctioning by the U.S. Soccer Federation: Atlanta United, Austin FC, Charlotte FC, LA Galaxy, Los Angeles Football Club, Nashville Soccer Club and New York Red Bulls. Additional MLS-affiliated and independent clubs will join in the years ahead. Beginning in 2023, MLS NEXT Pro matches will be streamed live on the Apple TV app as part of the monumental partnership between Apple and Major League Soccer. For more information about MLS NEXT Pro, visit mlsnextpro.com.
