FC Cincinnati 2 take on Chicago Fire FC II on Sunday night at Scudamore Field at NKU Soccer Stadium with kickoff scheduled for 5 p.m. ET. Tonight’s meeting will be the third and final match of the season between the two sides.
MATCH INFORMATION
FC Cincinnati 2 vs Chicago Fire FC II
Date: September 11, 2022
Competition: MLS NEXT Pro Regular Season
Site: Scudamore Field at NKU Soccer Stadium
Kickoff: 5:05 p.m. ET
Stream: MLSNEXTPro.com
SEASON SERIES
May 15, 2022, SeatGeek Stadium - CHI (3:1) CIN
CHI – O. Glasgow (28’), V. Bezerra (57’), A. Monis (85’)
CIN – A. Akindele (29’)
July 10, 2022, Scudamore Field at NKU Soccer Stadium – CIN (0:3) CHI
CHI – J. Fleming (27’), J. Casas (36’), J. Penn (64’)
LATEST RESULTS
FC Cincinnati 2 shared points with Orlando City B in a 2-2 draw on Aug. 29 at Osceola Heritage Park. Calvin Harris and Nick Markanich scored two second-half goals to give FCC 2 the lead before Orlando’s Favian Loyola knotted things at two apiece. The match went to an extra-time shootout where the Orange and Blue would outlast OCB, 7-6.
Chicago Fire FC II suffered their 11th loss of the season last Saturday against Columbus Crew 2. The Eastern Conference leaders took a two-goal lead into the break before scoring a third in the second half to put the match away. Chicago’s Omari Glasgow pulled one back with ten minutes to play to keep the Fire from being shut out.
KNOW YOUR OPPONENT
Chicago Fire FC II were officially eliminated from playoff contention last week with their loss against Columbus Crew 2. The Fire have spent the majority of the season near the bottom of the table after a slow start to the season that saw the Fire earn just four points through six matches.
Chicago have conceded 44 goals, tied for the third highest total amongst Eastern Conference teams. The Fire have been decent at home but have struggled on the road playing to a 2-7-2 record away from SeatGeek Stadium.
Victor Bezerra and Josh Penn are the danger men for Chicago, combining for 15 goals and six assists on the year. Alex Monis leads the team in total appearances and minutes and has scored four goals, including one against the Orange and Blue on May 15.
WHO/WHAT TO WATCH
EVAN LOURO – Evan Louro made his debut for the Orange and Blue against Orlando after signing for FC Cincinnati on Aug. 22. Louro showcased what made him the 2021 USL Championship goalkeeper of the year. Louro made six saves on the night, all in the first half, including a match-defining double save to keep the hosts from taking a two-goal lead into halftime. Louro will look to build on his strong debut against Chicago Sunday night.
OMARI GLASGLOW – Omari Glasglow scored his first goal of the season when the two teams met back in May. The forward snapped an eight-game scoreless drought against Columbus and will look to get back on track against FCC 2. Glasgow has multiple shot attempts in seven of his last eight and will be eager to get back in the goals later this evening.
THE FINAL STRETCH – FC Cincinnati 2 begin their final week of the MLS NExT Pro play Sunday night against Chicago. The Orange and Blue will play three matches over the next eight days to close out the season. Following tonight's match against Chicago, FCC 2 will host New York City FC on Wednesday and finish on the road against Columbus on Sept 18.
SHOOTOUTS – Extra time shootouts have become the norm as the Orange and Blue head towards the end of the regular season. Three of the last five have been decided by a shootout with the Orange and Blue finishing 2-1 in those shootouts. FCC 2 have been near perfect from the spot converting on 14 of their 16 shootout attempts this year.
TEAM EFFORT - 16 players have made at least 10 appearances for the Orange and Blue this season with eight eclipsing the 1000-minute mark. Kai Thomas leads all players in games played (21), starts (20) and minutes (1818). 20 FCC Academy players have also appeared for FCC 2 this season.
COACHES CORNER
“Chicago are going to come in and battle. They are a team that will try to get forward and a team that likes to play on the counter. They have good players that can finish their opportunities. The biggest difference between us and Chicago was their ability to finish their chances. We have to be very cautious about those chances and we need to match their intensity.”
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.
