CINCINNATI, OH --- FC Cincinnati, coming off an impressive inaugural campaign, has set six dates in 2017 as part of the preseason schedule and will take on Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire, a match-up that will be sandwiched by fixtures against the United Soccer League’s OKC Energy and Ottawa Fury in Florida. FCC will then travel to Sacramento, Calif. to take on Sacramento Republic FC and will wrap up the docket with friendlies against the University of Cincinnati and Xavier University.
“Our staff has put together a comprehensive preseason schedule that will help us prepare for our second season,” said Head Coach John Harkes. “With our trips to both coasts and our local friendlies, we expect to see a variety of skill levels across the pitch that will allow the staff to assess how this new group will gel in a variety of game situations. Also, spending two weeks together on the road will hopefully accelerate our progress in terms of team chemistry.”
The Orange and Blue will make the trek to Bradenton, Fla., for the second consecutive year for three contests, beginning with a first-ever meeting against Western Conference team, OKC Energy, on Sunday, Feb. 19. FCC then will kick off against Chicago Fire, on Wednesday, Feb. 22 before rounding out the trip against USL newcomer, Ottawa Fury, for a Saturday, Feb. 25 affair. All three matches, scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m., will be played at the IMG Academy. In 2015, FCC opened the preseason by travelling to Bradenton and winning the IMG Tournament by topping Icelandic club, KR Reykjavic, New York City FC and Danish team HB Koge.
“We had a successful trip last year in Florida at the IMG Suncoast Classic,” said Harkes. “Although our trip this year won’t be a tournament format, our mindset will be the same. We will be looking to compete and see how guys fit within a variety of combinations and positions against three very good clubs.”
FCC will then make its first trek out to the Golden State for a Mar. 4 (Sat.) contest against Sacramento Republic FC, which is expected to be streamed live beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET. With the two sides meeting for the first time, FCC will host an organized event for fans to gather and watch the match together. Fans in attendance will be able to take advantage of a special opportunity and details of that event will be shared on the website and through social media at a later date.
“This match will be a good test for us,” said Harkes. “We will both be entering the season with high expectations and our fans will be treated to a very high-level, competitive game.”
The docket of preseason friendlies continues Saturday, Mar. 11 at Gettler Stadium on the UC campus where the Bearcats will play host to FCC at 7:00 p.m. Entry into the event will be $5.00 with parking available also for $5.00 at Calhoun Garage. All seating will be general admission with print-at-home tickets
only to be offered through the Bearcats’ website and no outside food or drink will be allowed into the venue.
“We look at the match against UC as an opportunity to bring both our fans together. It should be a fun event for our community. From a soccer standpoint, we will be looking for quality performance from our team as we prepare for the USL season.”
The club’s final tune-up to the 2017 season is scheduled for Friday, Mar. 17 at 7:00 p.m. at the Xavier Soccer Complex with the Musketeers hosting FCC for the second straight season.
“The match at Xavier last year was a great event with our supporters in attendance. As our final friendly before the season begins, our players should have a good understanding of our system of play and we will be able to make some final player decisions.”
Forward Andrew Wiedeman is the team’s top returning scorer with 18 points on seven goals and four assists. Midfielder Jimmy McLaughlin, third on the team with four goals to go along with three assists, will also be on the pitch for FCC in 2017. Leading the defensive efforts will be Mitch Hildebrandt, the 2016 USL Goalkeeper of the Year, who re-signed with the club in November and hometown product Austin Berry, who totaled three goals.
Returning 17 players from the 2016 team, the club continues to solidify its roster. The team signed former Louisville City FC midfielder Kadeem Dacres in December and announced the signing of forward Andy Craven (Seattle Sounders FC 2) and midfielders Marco Dominguez (FC Montreal) and Aaron Walker (BÍ/Bolungarvik) earlier this month.
2017 Preseason Schedule
Date Opponent Location Time (ET)
2/19 vs. OKC Energy Bradenton, Fla. 4:00 p.m.
2/22 vs. Chicago Fire Bradenton, Fla. 4:00 p.m.
2/25 vs. Ottawa Fury Bradenton, Fla. 4:00 p.m.
3/4 at Sacramento Republic FC Bonney Field 8:30 p.m.
3/11 at UC Gettler Stadium 7:00 p.m.
3/17 at Xavier Xavier Soccer Complex 7:00 p.m.
