FC Cincinnati (3-5-1, 10 points) face off once again with Toronto FC (3-4-2, 11 points) on Wednesday night, May 4. It’s Star Wars Night at TQL Stadium, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. ET in the Queen City.
FC CINCINNATI vs TORONTO FC – Wednesday, May 4 – 7:30 p.m. ET – TQL STADIUM
HOW TO WATCH
Local TV: Star64
Local Stream: fccincinnati.com
Out of Market Stream: ESPN+
Radio: ESPN 1530
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 game.
MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU
Bring your jedi powers to Star Wars™ Night at TQL Stadium on May 4th at 7:30 p.m. as FC Cincinnati takes on Toronto FC. Fans are encouraged to dress up as their favorite Star Wars™ characters (certain restriction apply – see below) and enjoy Star Wars™ player videos and fan trivia games throughout the match.
The first 15,000 fans in attendance will also receive a commemorative ticket from the match.
There will also be Star Wars™ themed activities at Washington Park before the match from 4:30 -7:30, including:
- Star Wars Themed Photo Booth
- Balloon Artist making balloon lightsabers
- Red & Blue popsicles from Street Pops
- Face Painting
- Live DJ
- Youth soccer games such as Soccer Darts & Striker Challenge
For more information about Star Wars night, visit fccincinnati.com/starwars. Tickets for the match and all FCC matches can be purchased at fccincinnati.com/tickets.
Note: Non-medical masks or facial coverings must be removed during the security screening process, on the concourse and at all concession/retail locations. Non-medical masks or facial coverings may only be worn within the stadium bowl in the ticketed seating area as long as they do not create a distraction for other fans. Costumes with sharp edges or tips, including all metal or hard plastic costume accessories and props are not allowed. This includes but is not limited to swords, toy guns, wands, etc. Light Sabers are allowed but subject to removal if used improperly. Additionally, costumes are subject to further security screening. FC Cincinnati reserves the right to ask anyone to remove their mask or costume due to stadium security measures. Please be aware of our clear bag policy which extends to any bag related to a costume. There will be a limited number of official Lucas Films certified Fan Costumers allowed in full costume with special restrictions.
SCOUTING TORONTO FC (3-4-2, 11 PTS., 8th EASTERN CONFERENCE)
Coming off of Saturday’s 2-1 loss to FC Cincy, Toronto FC are looking to fix the mistakes that led to just their second home defeat of the year. Toronto have conceded the most goals in the Eastern Conference (19) and their 72.8% of shots allowed inside the penalty area is the worst in the league.
Toronto have scored their fair share as well, with Jesús Jiménez leading the line for the Reds. His seven goals are tied for the league-lead with Austin FC’s Sebastian Driussi, and he has scored in four of the last five games, including Toronto’s lone goal against Cincinnati on Saturday.
Former USMNT midfielder and captain Michael Bradley has started and played in all but 10 minutes of game action this year. He captains a disciplined squad which has the second-fewest yellow cards (16), total offside (7) and fouls (81) this season.
Toronto managed just three shots on target from over 65% possession, with only one of those coming from inside the penalty area.
STORYLINES OF THE GAME
LET’S PLAY TWO – For the first time in club history, FC Cincinnati will play consecutive MLS games against the same opponent. Following Saturday’s victory, the two sides meet once again this Wednesday.
Last season in MLS, teams playing consecutive regular season games only happened twice: Inter Miami CF and D.C. United played on May 29 and June 19, and New York Red Bulls and NYCFC played on Sept. 22 and Sept. 25. D.C. won both matchups in that case, with Red Bulls taking four of a possible six points from the double header.
MURPHY’S FIRST AND HAGGLUND’S HELP – Rookie defender Ian Murphy scored his first MLS goal on Saturday, slamming home a finish off a corner and a header from Nick Hagglund. The goal was Murphy’s first professional tally after FC Cincinnati selected him with the 14th overall pick in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft.
Hagglund earned his first regular season assist since 2015, when he was with Toronto FC.
THE NEW DP IN THE 513 – Obinna Nwobodo (oh-BEAN-uh WOE-bo-doe) made his FC Cincinnati debut on Saturday, coming on as a second half substitute for Haris Medunjanin. Nwobodo was acquired from Göztepe S.K. of the Turkish Süper Lig via transfer on April 13. The club signed Nwobodo to a contract through the 2024 season, with a club option for 2025.
Nwobodo made an instant impact on the game, making two tackles, winning 4 duels, and solidifying the FC Cincy midfield as the club earned its third victory of 2022.
ALL ABOUT LUCHO – Captain Luciano Acosta, who earned his sixth MLS Team of the Week honor with FC Cincinnati on Monday, leads MLS this season in chances created with 34. Acosta has seen more of Toronto than any other opponent. He enters Wednesday with 13 appearances, 11 starts against the Reds, and exactly 1,000 minutes against TFC, which are all his most against any MLS side.
ROMAN EMPIRE – FC Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano, the No. 2 overall selection in January’s MLS SuperDraft, earned his first win for FC Cincinnati Saturday at Toronto. At 21 years, 228 days, he became the youngest FCC goalie to earn a win, almost four years younger than Bobby Edwards (25 yrs., 64 days - 10/14/20 vs CLB).
