Fresh off the 2-2 draw in Columbus, FC Cincinnati return to Nippert Stadium on Saturday night to host New York City FC. The match is the second meeting between the clubs this season, with FCC losing 5-2 at Yankee Stadium on June 6.
Ahead of the rematch, here are three things to know:
The Orange and Blue played well in Columbus and enter Saturday’s match with momentum.
There are two ways of looking at FC Cincinnati’s 2-2 draw at Columbus Crew SC. The first would say the visitors squandered a two-goal lead and had to fight to earn a first draw on the road since March 10 at Atlanta United FC. This is true.
But the other way of viewing the result is a positive one. Entering Columbus, Cincinnati had lost four-consecutive matches, had a new head coach managing the side for the first time and had three new players make their debut. While the match wasn’t perfect, it indicated signs of improvement, which builds momentum.
With the #HellisReal Derby coming to Nippert Stadium next weekend, it’s easy to look ahead and to that match, which is the biggest one of the season. That said, don’t downplay the significance of Saturday night against NYCFC.
After watching two Cincinnati home games as a fan, Head Coach Ron Jans finally visits Nippert as the team’s coach. The match is his introduction to FC Cincinnati fans who didn’t visit Columbus last week and he’ll be eager to earn a positive result.
Previously, he’s applauded the Orange and Blue fans for their support. FCC have the league’s third-highest attendance average despite sitting at the bottom of the league standings.
Now, it’s Jans’ job to help them climb out and finish the final nine games of the regular season with momentum. There’s only one first introduction, and for the Dutchman, that intro is Saturday night.
FCC will be eager to redeem themselves following the heavy loss to New York City earlier this summer.
“We’re just trying to build on the work that we’ve been doing for the past week,” midfielder Victor Ulloa said. “We have that in the back of our minds. The result that we got over there wasn’t one that we are proud of, and now we’re at home with an opportunity to get three points.”
In the first meeting, Cincinnati was without four key starters who were then preparing for the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup. Additionally, left back Greg Garza was unavailable with a calf injury.
Those four players are back with the team now, and Garza has been training with the team. He could be available to play at Nippert for the first time since May 11 – the 2-1 win over the Montreal Impact.
There’s added motivation for newly-acquired Derrick Etienne Jr., too.
The Haitian winger joined Cincinnati on loan last week and is technically still a New York Red Bulls player. RBNY and NYCFC have one of the bigger rivalries in MLS.
“At the end of the day, I’m a Homegrown from Red Bulls, so I don’t want them to win any games,” said Etienne Jr. “If I can help it, they won’t win this weekend. This is definitely going to feel good to get three points off them.”
Match Info
What: FC Cincinnati host New York City FC
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Nippert Stadium
Weather Forecast: 85 degrees, Partly Cloudy
TV: WSTR Star64
Local Video Stream: FlocFC
Out of Market Video Stream: ESPN+
Local Radio: WDJO (99.5 FM) | 107.9 FM | 1480 AM)
Audio Stream: TuneIn App, fccincinnati.com
Tickets: Purchase your tickets here.
Club Connections
- Frankie Amaya and Juan Pablo Torres have played together on the U.S. Under-20 National Team.
- Assistant Coaches Yoann Damet and Jack Stern (Stern is also the Goalkeeper Coach) were in the Montreal Impact organization when Eric Miller was in 2015.
Player to Watch and his Health Carousel Player Resume
Opponent Player to Watch: Forward Heber
The Brazilian forward has seen a career revival in New York City and has 10 goals and four assists through 16 league matches. When the teams last met, Heber scored in the 17th minute. (He also scored an own goal 20 minutes later.)
