The Orange and Blue are back at Scudamore Field at NKU Soccer Stadium on Saturday, July 22 as they take on New York Red Bulls II at 6 p.m. ET. It will be the first Saturday match of the year for FC Cincinnati 2 and the second straight home match at NKU.
The match will also be streamed live on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV App.
FC CINCINNATI 2 vs NEW YORK RED BULLS II – SATURDAY, JULY 22, 2023 – 6 p.m. ET – SCUDAMORE FIELD AT NKU SOCCER STADIUM
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ALL-TIME SERIES
Saturday’s match will be the second all-time meeting between the two sides. The Orange and Blue are 0-1-0 against Red Bulls II following their first meeting at MSU Soccer Park on June 25.
THE LAST MEETING
FC Cincinnati 2 were unable to produce a result in their first match against New York Red Bulls II. Red Bulls II jumped out to an early lead, scoring in the first minute of action through Frank Ssebufu. Ben Stitz responded in the 21st minute, finding the back of the net to bring the match level before Ibrahim Kasule and Davi Alexandre sealed the win for the hosts.
SCOUTING NEW YORK RED BULLS II (8-6-4, 30 PTS., 5TH EASTERN CONFERENCE)
New York Red Bulls II enter the weekend in the top half of the Eastern Conference standings, sitting fifth on 30 points, but have dropped two straight for the first time this season. Red Bulls II look to get back on track Saturday with a chance to move past Orlando City B and into the top four.
There is no better goal scorer in MLS NEXT Pro currently than Ibrahim Kasule. The Red Bulls II midfielder has scored in five straight matches and has found the back of the net in eight of his last nine, since May 26. Kasule has added four assists over that span and is just three goals off the Golden Boot Race lead.
While Red Bulls II have conceded five in their last two, New York has been one of the strongest defensive sides in MLS NEXT Pro. Red Bulls II have allowed just 22 goals this season, tied for the fifth lowest total in the league, and have six shutouts on the year. Goalkeeper AJ Marcucci holds a 76.1 save percentage and has allowed just 17 goals on the year making 54 saves in 15 starts.
BACK IN THE WINS – FC Cincinnati 2’s 3-1 win against Inter Miami CF II this past Sunday snapped a three-match winless run. The Orange and Blue have won all five matches at Scudamore Field this season and are 5-2-2 at NKU Soccer Stadium.
MULTI-GOAL PERFORMANCES – The result against Miami marks the eighth time this season that the Orange and Blue have scored at least two or more goals. FC Cincinnati 2 have scored three or more goals in four matches and have six over their last three. The Orange and Blue are averaging 1.7 goals per match this season.
QUIMI AND STITZ – Arquimides Ordoñez and Ben Stitz helped push the Orange and Blue past the Herons on Sunday, each scoring one goal in the win. Ordoñez continues to lead FC Cincinnati 2 in goals scored (7) while Stitz’s fifth of the campaign moves him into second behind Ordoñez. The strike pair have combined for 12 goals and two assists this season.
A PHYSICAL BATTLE AWAITS –The last meeting between FC Cincinnati 2 and New York Red Bulls II produced a combined 32 fouls as Red Bulls II are one of the most physical teams in MLS NEXT Pro. New York leads the league in foul conceded (325) and have accumulated 53 yellow cards through 18 matches. Red Bulls II have also picked up five red cards, tied with Houston Dynamo 2 for a league high.
WITHIN STRIKING DISTANCE – The Eastern Conference playoff battle is starting to heat up with just 11 matches remaining in the regular season. FC Cincinnati 2 are five points off the final playoff spot and could close the gap to just two points with a win and other league results.
