FC Cincinnati 2 are back in action on Thursday, June 8 against Inter Miami CF II at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The match kicks off at 7 p.m. ET and can be streamed live on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app.
For more information on MLS Season pass visit, fccincinnati.com/seasonpass.
FC CINCINNATI 2 at INTER MIAMI CF II – THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 2023 – 7 p.m. ET – DRV PNK STADIUM
Keep up with all things FC Cincinnati 2 @FCCincinnati2 on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook
ALL-TIME SERIES
Thursday’s match will be the fourth all-time meeting between the two MLS NEXT Pro sides. FC Cincinnati 2 have yet to register a win against Inter Miami CF II, holding a 0-2-1 record against the Herons.
SCOUTING INTER MIAMI CF II (3-8-1, 10 PTS., 12TH EASTERN CONFERENCE)
Inter Miami CF II had a rough start to the MLS NEXT Pro season. The Herons opened the year with a 3-1 loss to Chicago Fire FC II which kicked off four-straight losses in league play. Miami earned their first of three season wins against Huntsville City FC on April 23 but are coming off a 5-0 loss to Atlanta United 2 in their most recent outing.
Inter Miami CF II lost key pieces of last year’s squad which has been noticeable in the current MLS NEXT Pro campaign. Shanyder Borgelin, the Herons leading goal scorer in 2022, inked a first team contract in February while Romeo Beckham, MLS NEXT Pro’s assist leader from a season ago, is out on loan with Brentford F.C. B. The pair combined for 16 goals and 13 assists across league competition in 2022.
Lucas Meek and Lorenzo D’Agostini have done their best to replace the lost production as the two forwards pace the team with three and two goals, respectively. Meek leads the team in shots and shots on target while D’Agostini is the main man when it comes to creating chances, leading the way with 11 key passes.
Dairon Reyes is a third forward that can be a threat for Miami. In limited action this season, just six appearances over The Herons first 12 matches, Reyes has one goal and three assists including a match winning penalty against Huntsville City FC.
Road form has crushed Miami this season as the Herons are 1-6-0 away from DRV PNK Stadium. Miami have scored just four goals on the road, while conceding 16, and have been shutout in five of seven. It has been a mixed bag of results in Fort Lauderdale as well where the Herons are 2-2-1.
THE SUNSHINE STATE AWAITS – FC Cincinnati 2 play their first match in South Florida on Thursday night before heading up I-95 for a weekend battle against Orlando City B on June 11. The Orange and Blue will host OCB three weeks later and wrap up the season series against Miami on July 16.
GETTING IT DONE ON BOTH ENDS –Jesus Castellano and Kai Thomas each made their 10th appearance of the season on Sunday afternoon against Philadelphia Union II. Castellano has two goals and two assists while Thomas has netted two from the backline, leading FC Cincinnati 2 defenders. He is tied for fifth among all MLS NEXT Pro defenders in that category.
STILL IN SEARCH FOR THE FIRST –The Orange and Blue are still in search of their first win away from Scudamore Field this season.Cincinnati will also look to win back-to-back matches for the first time this year.
PUSHING ON –The Orange and Blue have some catching up to do when it comes to games played. FC Cincinnati 2 are one of three Eastern Conference teams that have played 10 matches heading into the midweek encounter. Thursday’s match will be Cincinnati’s 11th of the year with the chance to leapfrog Philadelphia Union II and into the eighth spot.
CHECK ON THE EAST – Speaking of Eastern Conference standings, Crown Legacy continue to roll having picked up their eighth win of the season against Chicago Fire FC II. Things remain congested around the final playoff spot with five teams, including FC Cincinnati 2, within nine points of Atlanta United 2.
A THING OF THE PAST – A win for FC Cincinnati 2 on Thursday night would match last season’s win (4) and points (17) total in just 11 league matches. The Orange and Blue earned their fourth and final win of 2022 in mid-July against Rochester New York FC.
