FC Cincinnati 2 are on the road this weekend as they square off against Philadelphia Union II on Sunday, August 13 at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania. The Orange and Blue wrap up a busy week of action against Union II in what will be their third and final match over an eight-day stretch. The match kicks off at 6 p.m. ET and can be streamed live on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV App.
FC CINCINNATI 2 at PHILADELPHIA UNION II – SUNDAY, AUGUST 13, 2023 – 6 p.m. ET – SUBARU PARK
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ALL-TIME SERIES
FC Cincinnati 2 are 1-2-0 all-time against Philadelphia Union II having picked up their first win of the series earlier this season. The Orange and Blue have yet to pick up points at Subaru Park and are 0-1-0 at the venue.
THE LAST MEETING
FC Cincinnati 2 earned three points against Philadelphia Union II on June 4 in a 2-1 win at Scudamore Field at NKU Soccer Stadium. Bret Halsey scored his first MLS NEXT Pro goal while Gerardo Valenzuela’s 59th minute goal proved the game winner as Philadelphia’s Luciano Sanchez pulled one back for the visitors in the 74th minute.
SCOUTING PHILADELPHIA UNION II (9-8-4, 33 PTS., 6TH EASTERN CONFERENCE)
Philadelphia Union II enter the matchday against Cincinnati in good form following a 2-0 home win against New York City FC II. Union II have won three straight, including a 6-2 road win against Columbus Crew 2, and are unbeaten since June 18. Philadelphia sit sixth in the Eastern Conference and have their sights set on a second consecutive trip to the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs.
Midfielder David Vazquez has found the back of the net in his last two appearances for Union II and now has four goals on the season. Vazquez leads the scoring for the in-form Philly side who have scored 17 goals over their last six matches. Jeremy Rafanello and Stefan Stojanovic share a team lead in goals, seven each, as the Union surpassed the 40-goal mark last week.
Despite their recent run of form, Union II have struggled to produce positive results at home this season as they hold a 4-5-1 record. While Philadelphia have picked up two straight wins at Subaru Park, they started the year 0-3-1 at their home venue and didn’t earn their first win in Chester until May 28, a 2-0 win against Columbus Crew 2. Union II have also struggled to keep the ball out of the back of their home net and are allowing 2.2 goals per match.
BACK IN THE GOALS – Arquimides Ordoñez scored his eighth goal of the season Thursday night against Chicago Fire FC II, a 90’+5 penalty to get the Orange and Blue on the board. Ordoñez continues to produce for FC Cincinnati 2 in limited appearances and minutes at the MLS NEXT Pro level as the forward is averaging a goal every 90 minutes and is converting on 25 percent of his shot attempts.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN – FC Cincinnati 2 play five of their remaining seven regular season matches on the road starting against Philadelphia Union II this weekend before facing in-state rival Columbus Crew 2 on August 19. The Orange and Blue are still in search of their first road win of the year but have picked up eight points against their remaining road opponents, including a 2-1 win over Union II earlier this season.
SHOULD IT GO TO A SHOOTOUT… – The Orange and Blue and Union II have each been a part of four extra time shootouts this season with both teams holding a 2-2 shootout record. Cincinnati have one shootout win on the road while Philadelphia won their only shootout at home. The Orange and Blue are 17-for-23 in kicks from the spot while Union II are 13-for-17.
PLAYOFF UPDATE – Chicago Fire FC II currently hold the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. FC Cincinnati 2 find themselves 12 points off Fire II while Union II are tied for points with Chicago with a game in hand.
