FC Cincinnati wrap up a four-match homestand Wednesday night at TQL Stadium to take on Chicago Fire FC. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. in the Queen City.
From 6-7:45 p.m. before the game, fans can enjoy drink specials, games and more at the Carl and Martha Lindner Plaza and the Mercy Health Plaza. From 4-8 p.m. at Washington Park, fans can enjoy drink specials, food trucks and more.
Kings Hammer’s 2021 US Youth Soccer National Championship Team will be recognized at the game and other youth soccer teams from the region will also be in attendance.
Through the end of the season, fans posting a photo on social media in their FCC jersey or waving a rally towel using the hashtag #cincyrallies will have a chance to win season tickets for 2022, courtesy of Mercy Health.
HOW TO WATCH:
Local TV: Star64
Local Stream: fccincinnati.com
Out of Market: ESPN+
Radio: Fox Sports AM 1360
Talent: Tom Gelehrter (play-by-play), Kevin McCloskey (analyst), Alex Stec (sideline)
Be sure to follow @FCCincinnati on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for live updates from the match.
SCOUTING CHICAGO FIRE FC (7-16-7 – 28 points – 12th, Eastern Conference)
Chicago will take the field Wednesday coming off a surprising result at Supporters’ Shields front runners New England Revolution this past Saturday. Ignacio Aliseda’s 88th minute equalizer allowed the Fire to escape with a 2-2 draw. That came despite the fact that the club has struggled on the road this season, boasting a 1-11-2 record way from Chicago, tied for the most road losses in MLS this year.
Luka Stojanovic, a 6 ft. 2 in. midfielder, leads Chicago with seven goals while Álvaro Medrán wears the No. 10 jersey in the midfield and leads the club with six assists. Gabriel Slonina, a 17-year old homegrown player, is in line to serve as goalkeeper for the Fire as he has since mid-September. He has three clean sheets in his seven starts.
STORYLINES TO WATCH
EXTINGUISH THE FIRE – FC Cincinnati post a 2-1-2 record against Chicago Fire FC since joining MLS in 2019. A win Wednesday would mean the Orange and Blue’s three all-time wins against Chicago are tied for the most against any other club (CF Montréal – 3). Back in June, Álvaro Barreal’s 50th minute free kick winner was the difference in FCC’s 1-0 win at Soldier Field.
BRENNER THE STARTER – FC Cincinnati forward Brenner is one of 11 players to have started in every game this season for his respective club. The Brazilian is second in the club’s young history for starts in a season (Mathieu Deplagne – 33, 2019) and is hungry to get back on the scoresheet, looking to score for the first time since the New York City FC match on September 18.
GOT GOALS? – For the third time since 2019, Chicago Fire FC make the short trip down to Cincinnati to face FC Cincinnati. Both of the previous two matchups ended in scoreless draws, 0-0. The first goal will be crucial should it come Wednesday, FCC is 1-14-1 when conceding first (.094) and Chicago is 1-15-1 (.088).
