FC Cincinnati 2 square off against Chicago Fire FC II this Sunday, July 9 for the first time this season at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Ill. The Orange and Blue look to bounce back from last weekend’s loss to Orlando City B while Fire II can extend their current home win streak to three matches.
The match kicks off at 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. CT) and can be streamed live on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV App.
FC CINCINNATI 2 at CHICAGO FIRE FC II – SUNDAY, JULY 9, 2023 – 6 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. CT – SEATGEEK STADIUM
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ALL-TIME SERIES
Sunday’s match will be the fourth all-time meeting between the two sides and first meeting of 2023. The Orange and Blue have yet to pick up a win against the Fire and are 0-3-0.
SCOUTING CHICAGO FIRE FC II (6-6-4, 22 PTS., 9TH EASTERN CONFERENCE)
Chicago Fire FC II are on the move up the Eastern Conference table after a hot start to the season, two wins in two matches, stalled through April and May. The Fire have now won four of their last six averaging 2.7 goals per game over that stretch.
Charlie Ostrem leads Fire II offensively with four goals, but it has been an attack by committee for Chicago this season. Fifteen players have scored at least one goal for Chicago Fire II this year, the most among any team in MLS NEXT Pro.
Omari Glasgow, Billy Hency and Harold Osorio follow Ostrem with three goals each. Osorio and Luka Prpa pull the strings out of midfield as the pair have combined for nine of the team’s 21 assists. Osorio’s five assists are tied for a league high with Prpa close behind at four.
The extra time shootout has not been kind to Chicago as Fire II have yet to pick up a shootout win this season (0-4). Fire II are just one of five MLS NEXT Pro sides who have failed to secure an extra point in the shootout.
Chicago are 3-3-2 at home this season and have put together back-to-back wins against Columbus Crew 2 and Orlando City B at SeatGeek Stadium. Fire II have conceded just two goals in their last four and have yet to suffer defeat by more than one goal at home.
ALL-STARS AND AN MVP – FC Cincinnati Academy forward Ryder Mills was named U-19 MLS NEXT Most Valuable player on July 6 after being named to the MLS NEXT All-Star roster on June 29. Mills has made 12 appearances for FC Cincinnati 2 this season and his four goals are tied for a team high. Mills’ brace against Orlando this past Sunday was his first multi-goal performance at the MLS NEXT Pro level.
First team midfielder and former FC Cincinnati Academy product Stiven Jimenez was also named to the MLS NEXT All-Star roster. Jimenez has made 11 appearances for FC Cincinnati 2 and has registered one assist for the Orange and Blue.
BACK FROM INTERNATIONAL DUTY… – Salim Adams returns to Cincinnati and will be available for this weekend’s match against Chicago after representing Ghana in the U-23 African Cup of Nations competition. Adams scored his first international goal for the Black Meteors against Morocco on June 27 and has one goal in 11 appearances for FC Cincinnati 2 this season.
…AND RETURNING FROM INJURY – Jesus Castellano returned to action Sunday night against Orlando City B, playing the entire second half following a four-match absence due to injury. Castellano has scored two goals and added two assists on the season.
A FEW FIRSTS – Sunday night’s match against Orlando featured a few firsts for the Orange and Blue. FC Cincinnati Academy defender David Garcia scored his first MLS NEXT Pro goal while academy defender Matt Schenfeld made his first appearance with FC Cincinnati 2.
Philip Horton, who was signed to an MLS NEXT Pro contract on June 16, picked up his first goal contribution for the club with an assist to Ryder Mills in the 54th minute.
