FC Cincinnati 2 are set to take on Orlando City B on Sunday, July 2 at Scudamore Field at NKU Soccer Stadium. The Orange and Blue face off against the Lions for the second match of a three match season series and for the second time in their last four. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET.
FC CINCINNATI 2 vs ORLANDO CITY B – SUNDAY, JULY 2, 2023 – 7 p.m. ET – SCUDAMORE FIELD AT NKU SOCCER STADIUM
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ALL-TIME SERIES
Sunday’s match will be the fifth all-time meeting between the two sides and second meeting of 2023. The Orange and Blue are 1-2-1 against the Lions all-time and 0-1-0 this season.
THE LAST MEETING
FC Cincinnati 2 closed out a busy week of action which saw the Orange and Blue play three matches in an eight day stretch with a 4-0 loss to Orlando City B on June 11. The Lions scored four first half goals as Orlando denied FC Cincinnati 2 their first road win of the season.
SCOUTING ORLANDO CITY B (7-6-2, 24 PTS., 5TH EASTERN CONFERENCE)
Orlando City B will be eager to turn the page on what was a difficult June for the Central Florida club. Orlando are 1-3-0 over their last four matches as the Lions dropped to fifth in the Eastern Conference standings following a 3-0 loss to Philadelphia Union II on June 28.
Orlando City B have been held scoreless in two consecutive matches but have the quality up front to light up the scoreboard. Jack Lynn continues to lead the Lions attack with seven goals on the season and is three goals off of the MLS NEXT Pro lead in the Golden Boot Race. Lynn and Orlando City B have scored three or more goals in four matches this year.
The Lions have been strong at Osceola Heritage Park this season (5-1-2) but have struggled on the road (2-5-0). Orlando have scored seven road goals through seven matches and have been held scoreless in three of their last four road trips. Lynn scored Orlando’s last away goal in a 1-0 win against Inter Miami CF II on May 25.
HOME SWEET HOME – Scudamore Field at NKU soccer stadium has been a tough out for visiting opponents as the Orange and Blue are 4-1-2 at home this season. FC Cincinnati 2 recently picked up their fourth win of the year against New England Revolution II, a 2-1 result, at Scudamore Field on June 18.
The Orange and Blue have scored 14 goals at home and carry a +4-goal differential into their eighth home match of the year.
STITZ HEATING UP – Ben Stitz scored his fourth goal of the season Sunday night against New York Red Bulls II. Stitz trails only Arquimides Ordoñez (6) for a team lead and is converting on 24 percent of his shot attempts. The forward has also forced saves from opposing goalkeepers on 11 of his 17 total attempts.
Stitz has scored three of FC Cincinnati 2’s last seven goals in MLS NEXT Pro play.
THE MAGIC TOUCH – Gerardo Valenzuela continues to lead the Orange and Blue in the attacking third this season. Valenzuela, who inked a first team contract on May 25, leads FC Cincinnati 2 in shots (33) and key passes (13) while netting three goals and two assists.
FC Cincinnati 2 are 3-0-0 when Valenzuela finds the back of the net.
SHOTS FROM DISTANCE – Orlando City B have scored six goals this season from outside the 18-yard box, tied for a league high with Minnesota United FC 2 while FC Cincinnati 2 are tied for the third highest total with four goals.
Cincinnati and Orlando are also efficient with their chances, as both clubs rank among the top-10 teams in the league in accurate shooting percentage at 40.4 and 40.6, respectively.
