It’s the second road trip of the season for FC Cincinnati, as the Orange and Blue head to the Windy City to take on Chicago Fire FC. Kickoff from Soldier Field is set for Saturday, March 18 at 8:30 p.m. ET/7:30 p.m. CT.
Let’s break down this matchup by the numbers, presented by CTI.
2
The Fire will be without two starters from their matchup at Philadelphia Union last Saturday, as Kei Kamara and Fabian Herbers were each shown red cards at Subaru Park. Herbers scored the lone goal for the Fire this season through two matches, an equalizer in Matchday 2 in the 1-1 draw with New York City FC.
The Orange and Blue will also be without a starter due to red card suspension, with Nick Hagglund set to miss the trip due to his fourth career ejection last Saturday against Seattle.
2 (Again)
Of the two expected starting goalkeepers Saturday night in Chicago, both FCC netminder Roman Celentano and Fire goalie Chris Brady hail from Naperville, Illinois, roughly 40 minutes from Soldier Field. Just separated by less than four years apart, both goalkeepers are 22 years old and younger and represent a future wave of goalkeepers in MLS.
3
FC Cincinnati travel to Chicago for the fifth time in MLS competition, and in no other road city have the Orange and Blue seen greater success. FCC’s three wins in four trips to Chicago are their most true road wins against any opponent.
No other opponent have FCC beaten more than once on their home field in regular season competition than the Fire. The Orange and Blue have beaten the New York Red Bulls three times outside of Cincinnati (once in MLS Cup Playoffs, once in MLS is Back, once in regular season in 2020) and have twice beaten Toronto FC (once in Toronto, once in Orlando in 2021) and CF Montréal (once in Montréal, once in Ft. Lauderdale in 2021).
7
FC Cincinnati bring the longest active regular season road unbeaten streak to Chicago. The Orange and Blue are unbeaten in seven straight road games, dating back to the 4-4 tie with Inter Miami CF on July 30, 2022.
Nashville SC (6) are the only other MLS side to maintain an active unbeaten road streak longer than two.
7 (Again)
FC Cincinnati are one of just seven clubs without a loss in the 2023 season entering Matchday 4.
147
FC Cincinnati have tallied 147 goals all-time in MLS competition, approaching the 150 milestone. The 50th goal in club history was scored at Soldier Field on June 23, 2021, a free kick game-winner from Álvaro Barreal.
By The Numbers is presented by CTI.
