Having already taken to Nippert Stadium twice in the last week, the Orange & Blue are back for yet another match tomorrow night. And for it, we’re welcoming back our downstream rivals from Kentucky for the latest edition of the River Cities Derby. Find out what to expect, where you can get tickets, and more in the full match preview below.
WHEN
Saturday, April 22nd, 2017, at 7pm
GET TICKETS HERE
FYI: With several large events occurring on campus on Saturday, the club strongly recommends getting to the stadium as early as possible to avoid traffic and backups in the parking garages.
OPPOSITION
Louisville City FC, our closest USL rivals, make the 102 mile trip up the Ohio River from Louisville Slugger Field to Nippert Stadium.
VENUE
Nippert Stadium at the University of Cincinnati
DIRECTIONS
PROMOTION(S):
Saturday’s rivalry match against Louisville will be the club’s first ever “Black Out”. In addition to the guys sporting the new 2017 black alternate kits for the first time this season, we’re encouraging fans to turn Nippert Stadium black by wearing black too! Don’t have any black FCC gear? Check out our selection of black merchandise online and either head to the new downtown store or to one of our merchandise tents at the game to get kitted out for the Black Out!
FORM
FCC: Heading into last Saturday, the guys were set to not only play three matches in eight days, but also three matches against the teams ranked first, third and second in the league respectively. And through two of those games, we’ve taken a very respectable four points. The 4-0 win over Saint Louis FC last weekend showed what this 2017 FC Cincinnati side is capable of, while the come-from-behind 1-1 draw with Tampa Bay and playing the final quarter hour with ten men shows the squad can dig deep, too.
LCFC: Currently one of just three remaining unbeaten sides in the USL, Louisville City find themselves sitting second in the Eastern Conference with a match in handTheir 3-0-1 record includes two wins on the road – a 3-1 rolling of Orlando City B (9th) and 1-0 win at Richmond Kickers (14th) – and a 2-1 win at home last time out against the current top-of-table Rowdies. The lone game where they didn’t take all three points was a season opening 0-0 draw with Saint Louis. So in short, Louisville are no slouches and will once again make things hard for FCC.
COACH
"It’s been a busy week for our players and fans, and we are excited to finish off the week by locking horns in the Derby against Louisville. This game means a lot to the players and the fans and we look forward to competing against another quality opponent for three points. Hopefully there will be a great crowd to get behind the Orange and Blue."
- Head Coach Alan Koch
PLAYERS
FCC: Playing our third match in eight days this weekend means fitness could be a factor this weekend. Coach Koch rotated his team a little in the midweek to prepare for that, and further rotation could be continued on Saturday. Given that he was rested on Wednesday night, don’t be surprised to see midfielder Aodhan Quinn make a return to face the side he captained the last two seasons. Our other former Louisville player’s participation is in doubt as Kadeem Dacres will likely face a one-match suspension following a red card against the Rowdies.
LCFC: Ever a side greater than the sum of its parts, Louisville are once again proving to be a menace despite another offseason laced with turnover. Not only did former captain Quinn and Dacres cross the divide, but leading scorer Chandler Hoffman also departed for greener pastures. However, other players have stepped in to fill those shoes. Now in his second season with the team, George Davis IV (#22) is well on his way to besting his five goals last season with three on the campaign so far. Plus, keep an eye out for former FCC striker and Cincinnati native Luke Spencer (#12), who has also netted once this season for Elsie.
HISTORY
Saturday will be the fourth meeting between the two sides who contest the River Cities Derby. The Orange & Blue hold a slim advantage after last season, despite the teams splitting the results with a 1-1-1. While Louisville got the better of the FCC in the first meeting at Nippert last year, a draw in Kentucky and a 3-1 win for the good guys was enough to give us the superior goal differential and the trophy.
WEATHER
While we were treated to summer-like conditions for our matches last week, Saturday will be a prototypical Ohio spring day. Cooler temperatures are anticipated, with expected highs in the low 50’s. And while the forecast continues to call for some precipitation, the outlook has improved in the last 24 hours – the rain now appears as if it will clear out by midafternoon. Cross your fingers!
WATCH
This weekend’s match will be broadcast live on Star 64 (WSTR). Most local providers’ station information can be found below:
Over the Air: Channel 64
Cincinnati Bell Fioptics: Channel 11 (SD) or 511 (HD)
Spectrum/TWC (OH): Channel 11 (SD) or 1011 (HD)
Spectrum/TWC (KY): Channel 11 (SD) or 915 (HD)
DirecTV: Channel 64
DISH: Channel 8354
Not in the local viewing area? No problem! Every match in the USL is available to stream as well, and this match is available for free on YouTube.
LISTEN
All FC Cincinnati home matches are broadcast live on local radio on ESPN 1530, which can be streamed for free through their iHeartRadio feed.
SOCIAL
As is the case every match, you can follow along with the action on our Twitter feed at @fccincinnati. For live looks from before, during and after the match, follow us on Instagram and Snapchat by following 'fccincinnati', too. Halftime and full time updates will also be available on Facebook.
