FC Cincinnati (0-2-0) head back to the Sunshine State to take on Orlando City SC (1-0-1). Kickoff from Exploria Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m.
FC CINCINNATI AT ORLANDO CITY SC – 7:30 p.m. – EXPLORIA STADIUM
HOW TO WATCH:
Local TV: Star64
Local Stream: fccincinnati.com
Out of Market Stream: ESPN+
Radio: 1530 ESPN
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 ORLANDO CITY SC (1-0-1, 4 pts., 4th EASTERN CONFERENCE)
Orlando City SC enter Saturday’s game as one of three clubs to have not conceded a goal in the young season (D.C. United and Chicago Fire FC). Orlando come into Week 3 off a scoreless tie with the Fire at Soldier Field last Saturday.
Last weekend, Orlando City goalkeeper Pedro Gallese recorded his 13th shutout across all competitions for Orlando, which tied the all-time club record. Gallese hit the record in just 49 starts, compared to the 91 starts of now co-record holder Joe Bendik.
Three constants in front of Gallese on the backline have been Ruan, Antônio Carlos and João Moutinho. The trio of defenders have seen all 180 minutes of game action thus far for Orlando.
For as strong as the defense has been for the Lions, offense has been quiet through two weeks. Orlando’s 13 shots are the fewest in MLS through two weeks, with just three on target. Two of those three were enough in Orlando’s opener against CF Montréal, with goals coming from Benji Michel and Alexandre Pato in a 2-0 win.
Óscar Pareja is in his fourth season as head coach of Orlando City SC. The former Colombian International led the Lions to the MLS Cup Playoffs each of the past two seasons.
STORYLINES TO WATCH
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE – Exploria Stadium has turned into a fortress for Orlando City SC. Since 2020, the Lions have lost just three games at home, holding a 15-3-10 record. Dating back to last season, Orlando are unbeaten in their last five games at home, last losing on September 15, 2021 against CF Montréal.
MILESTONE MARKS – A pair of FC Cincinnati midfielders are on the verge of milestone appearance marks. For Haris Medunjanin, his next appearance will be the 150th of his MLS regular season career. Junior Moreno, one of the newest members of the Orange and Blue, will step on the field for the 100th time in MLS regular season competition the next time he sees game action.
BACK TO FLORIDA – FC Cincinnati return to Florida after spending nearly a month in the Sunshine State for the 2022 Preseason. In the Orange and Blue’s final Preseason game, FC Cincinnati took on Orlando City behind closed doors at Exploria Stadium, tying 2-2. Luciano Acosta scored both goals in that game for FCC.
LOOKING FOR SUNSHINE – FC Cincinnati seek a first win against a Florida club, having gone a combined 0-7-2 against Orlando City SC and Inter Miami CF, including 0-4-0 against the sides in Florida. But, FCC do have success in the state: last season the Orange and Blue went 2-0-0 against CF Montréal at DRV PNK Stadium (May 22) and Toronto FC (June 26) at Exploria Stadium, and won two matches in the 2020 MLS is Back Tournament.
CINCY VS. CINCY NATIVE – Orlando City SC defender Kyle Smith, native of Cincinnati and graduate of La Salle High School, has made three all-time MLS appearances against the Orange and Blue. Smith appeared in 28 games last season for the Lions but has yet to see the field this year.
