First-place FC Cincinnati (4-0-2, 14 points) look to remain one of three unbeaten clubs in Major League Soccer when the Orange and Blue host Philadelphia Union (2-3-1, 7 points) on Saturday, April 8 at 7:30 p.m. ET at TQL Stadium.
Saturday’s match will stream exclusively on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app, and fans can listen to the game locally on ESPN 1530. With the match being at home, fans watching on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV will have the option to switch to the local home radio broadcast as their audio source.
Saturday marks the first time Cincinnati will face Philadelphia since the Union eliminated the Orange and Blue from the MLS Cup Playoffs last October in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, which was the last loss Pat Noonan’s squad has suffered.
Saturday's match has been announced as a sellout. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to TQL Stadium.
FC CINCINNATI vs PHILADELPHIA UNION – SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2023 – 7:30 p.m. ET – TQL STADIUM
HOW TO WATCH
Stream: MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app
TV Talent (English): Chris Wittyngham (play-by-play), Lori Lindsey (analyst)
TV Talent (Spanish): Jose Hernandez (play-by-play), Pablo Marino (analyst)
Radio: ESPN 1530
Local Radio Talent: Tom Gelehrter (play-by-play), Kevin McCloskey (analyst)
WATCH SATURDAY ON MLS SEASON PASS
Saturday’s game will stream on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app. No blackouts, no restrictions. Fans can also listen to the match locally on ESPN 1530.
For more information on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, visit FCCincinnati.com/SeasonPass. Each full-season ticket account will include one subscription to MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (one per account). Season Ticket Members should check their email for information. FAQ for Season Ticket Members
GAME ACTIVATIONS
Don’t forget to swing by Washington Park beginning at 4:30 p.m. for a number of free activities leading up to kickoff, including player autographs, live music from The Hangovers, FCC inflatables, face painting, drink specials and more. At 6:30 p.m., fans can join the high-energy march into the stadium with smoke, drums and chants.
Beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, fans in the state of Ohio can purchase 50/50 Raffle Tickets to support the FC Cincinnati Foundation. All tickets can be purchased online at FCCincinnati5050.com or on the official FC Cincinnati app.
For a full list of gameday activations, visit the matchday guide, HERE.
TUNE-IN TO FC CINCINNATI WEEKLY ON WCPO 9
To break down last Saturday’s match against Miami and look ahead to preview the matchup with Philadelphia, tune in to FC Cincinnati Weekly on WCPO 9 this Friday, April 7 at 7:30 p.m.
Every week, FC Cincinnati fans will see previews and analysis of the club’s next opponents, previous match recaps, profiles of players, coaches and fans, and league news.
SCOUTING PHILADELPHIA UNION (2-3-1, 7 PTS., 8TH EASTERN CONFERENCE)
The defending Eastern Conference Champions have had an uncharacteristic 2-3-1 start to the season, entering Cincinnati 0-2-0 on the road after losses to Inter Miami CF and CF Montréal. A home loss to Orlando City SC and a scoreless draw last weekend against Sporting Kansas City has the Union searching for their first league win in nearly a month.
The Union’s fixture with Cincinnati is sandwiched between their two-legged Concacaf Champions League matchup with Liga MX side Atlas F.C. In the competition’s quarterfinals on Tuesday, Jim Curtin’s side earned a late 1-0 home win over an Atlas side which played the full second half down to 10 men following Anderson Santamaría’s red card.
Philadelphia played a top lineup in leg one and is set for leg two in Guadalajara next Tuesday night, leaving this Saturday’s heavyweight league match in the middle.
Aiding the Union is three-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Andre Blake, back and healthy with the team. He returned last Saturday against Sporting Kansas City after missing two matches due to an abductor strain suffered in Matchday 3. Blake made five saves in last season’s Eastern Conference Semifinal, playing a major role in seeing the Orange and Blue come up empty in the 1-0 loss last October.
For the second straight season, Philly’s attacking three is among the most dangerous in Major League Soccer. Mikael Uhre, Julian Carranza and Daniel Gazdag all share a team-high two goals this season. Gazdag’s four assists are tied for second-most in MLS.
On the backline, reigning MLS Defender of the Year Jakob Glesnes along with Kai Wagner (a co-finalist for the award) man an impressive defense. Last year, the Union’s 26 goals conceded set a new league record for the fewest allowed in a season.
FC CINCINNATI NOTES
IT’S A RE(UNION) – Saturday is the fourth matchup for FC Cincinnati Head Coach Pat Noonan against his former Philly side, where he was an assistant coach from Jan. 2018 - Dec. 2021. During his time with the Union, they won 49 regular season games and captured the 2020 Supporters’ Shield.
Noonan’s hiring to the Queen City was led by the former Union Technical Director, Chris Albright, who was named FCC General Manager on Oct. 4, 2021. Albright served as Philly’s Technical Director since his retirement from playing after the 2013 season.
Three players on the FCC roster previously played for Philly, including Ray Gaddis, who logged over 19,000 MLS minutes in 221 appearances with Philadelphia. Gaddis is the Union’s all-time appearance and minutes leader.
Forward Sergio Santos scored 19 goals and seven assists with Philly (75 GP/47 GS: 2019-22) and Alvas Powell (5 GS/4 GP: 2021) each spent part of their MLS careers with Philly.
FIRST FOR THE FIRST TIME – FC Cincinnati enter Saturday for the first time as table leaders: in first place in the Eastern Conference. In 2019, the Orange and Blue reached as high as second place, following the 2-0 win over the New England Revolution on March 24 for a 2-1-1 start. Last season, FCC went as high as fourth following the season-high four-game winning streak’s final game on May 14, 2022 at Chicago Fire.
NOT CONCEDING FIRST – Key to the unbeaten start to the season for FCC: The Orange and Blue are one of just two clubs (LAFC) to have not allowed the first goal in a match this season. FCC have accomplished the feat through six games, compared to five for the defending champions.
THE SECOND-HALF WALL – FC Cincinnati have conceded just one second-half goal this season, the fewest in MLS.
The lone second-half goal allowed came from Chicago’s Chris Mueller in the 46th minute on March 18. FCC are the only team in MLS which have not conceded a goal from the 47th minute on.
SPEAKING OF DEFENSE – FC Cincinnati’s four clean sheets this season are tied for the most in MLS with Nashville SC. The Orange and Blue are already over halfway to the club record for shutouts in a season (7 - 2020).
FCC Goalkeeper Roman Celentano, in his second season, is nearing club-record marks. He is just one clean sheet away from matching the club record for shutouts in a season (5 - Przemyslaw Tyton, 2020; Celentano, 2022) and in a career (10 - Tyton).
IRON MAN MIAZGA – FC Cincinnati defender Matt Miazga is one of 35 non-goalkeepers across MLS to have played the maximum-possible 540 minutes in MLS this season.
NOONAN’S TAKE
Head Coach Pat Noonan on if the matchup with Philadelphia has an extra edge following last season's matchups
“It's starting to feel that way. We've had some really good matchups ... that both with the performances, the intensity of the crowd and the atmosphere, storylines of the connection with many of us here at FCC and with their club. I enjoy these matchups because I think last year they were games that the players stepped on the field and performed in a way where it was very tight. And you know, the margins were small, but I liked the way that these matchups are trending with how the players feel about it, and how we as coaches feel about it. That's moving in a good direction."
Visit HERE for FC Cincinnati’s 2023 home platform match schedule. The full 2023 regular season schedule can be viewed HERE. All matches will air live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. The unprecedented subscription service featuring every MLS regular season, playoff and Leagues Cup match is available now.
All tickets, including Single Match Tickets, Full Season Tickets and Half Season “Orange” and “Blue” Ticket packages, can be purchased at fccincinnati.com/tickets or by calling (513) 977-5425 (KICK). For more information about Group Tickets and Premium hospitality options, including suites and all-inclusive experiences, call (513) 763-1025.
FC Cincinnati is now also offering a Flex Plan. Fans can select one Leagues Cup match, in addition to two to five regular season matches. The Flex Plan provides ultimate flexibility, with benefits including cost savings, no fees and presale access for additional events at TQL Stadium, including potential home playoff matches.
For up-to-the-minute information about FC Cincinnati, visit the team’s official website at fccincinnati.com, or follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @FCCincinnati. Additionally, fans are encouraged to download the team’s new official mobile app on iOS or Android for instant access to mobile tickets, team content and match notifications.
