TUCSON, Ariz. – The last time FC Cincinnati walked off the field, the nine-man Orange and Blue just drew D.C. United in the 2019 regular season finale. That emphatic result was the perfect stepping stone into the offseason.
Consider Wednesday a step into FCC’s second MLS season.
The club plays its first preseason match this afternoon when they host Phoenix Rising FC at Kino Sports Complex. For head coach Ron Jans, the friendly provides a first glimpse at how he wants his team to play in 2020.
Here’s what you need to know before kickoff…
There is no livestream
Fans back in the Queen City won’t be able to watch, but there will be plenty of coverage after the match.
The game is available to the public in Tucson, however. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. ET (3 p.m. MT).
“We mix the teams, so no conclusions about the lineup yet.”
If fans are hoping to see FCC’s future starting XI, they’ll have to wait.
“I would like to see some great goals, but more important is the playing style,” he added. “We are going to play every player 45 minutes. We mix the teams, so no conclusions about the lineup yet.
“Everybody gets his chance, but we want to see what we practice. So, it’s a tactical thing, and second is the execution. How do we play? And yeah, you can show yourself as an individual inside the team.”
FC Cincinnati spent last week working on its shape in and out of possession. How will they now execute against an opponent?
This is the first of two games in four days
The Orange and Blue will play again Saturday against Sporting Kansas City in Casa Grande, approximately an hour north of Tucson. With two games in four days, there will be plenty of opportunities for players to showcase their talent and prove why they should be important pieces of FCC’s 2020.
“Because there’s two games, things will change and things will change quickly,” center midfielder Tommy McCabe said. “That’s part of the challenge, adapting to who you’re playing with, and if you’re playing in a different spot on the field, how fast can you adjust?”
About Phoenix
The Rising had the best regular season in USL history last year when they tallied 78 points in 34 games. (FCC had 77 points in 2018.)
Solomon Asante, one of their forwards, was the 2019 USL Championship MVP and produced the best season of any player in the league’s history. He finished with 22 goals and 17 assists in 34 matches played.
“We are in charge, so we don’t worry much about their playing style,” Jans said.
