A third and final leg of a three-match road swing to start the season awaits FC Cincinnati this weekend, as does a second straight weekend in Pennsylvania. And like last weekend, the Orange & Blue will look to continue building momentum by taking another three points from their trip to the Keystone State.
Find out how they will go about it – and how you can follow along – in the full match preview below.
WHEN
Sunday, April 9th, at 4pm
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE
OPPOSITION
While we were just in Pennsylvania last Saturday, we’ll be heading to the opposite side of the state to face Bethlehem Steel FC this weekend. A fellow second-year club, Steel FC are the wholly-owned affiliate of Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union.
VENUE
Goodman Stadium, Bethlehem, PA
DIRECTIONS
FORM
FCC: After slipping up in their opening match of the season at Charleston with a 1-2 loss, the Orange & Blue bounced back and scraped out a 1-0 victory on the road against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds last Saturday. The start was a familiar pattern, mirroring our 2016 campaign, where we dropped the opening match in South Carolina before heading to Pennsylvania to get a win – though last year’s win came against this weekend’s opponents.
BSFC: While Sunday’s tilt is our third match of the young 2017 season, it will only be Bethlehem’s second. After getting a bye in Week 1, Steel FC kicked off their year with a 2-3 loss at home to Rochester Rhinos. Remembering that preseason results should be taken with a grain of salt, take what you want from the Union reserve side going 2-1-1 during a short schedule against USL, NPSL and collegiate competitors.
COACH
"We look forward to playing Bethlehem this weekend. Having just coached another MLS2 team for the last few years I am very aware of the talent that groups like this will have at their disposal. No matter who plays for the Steel on Sunday we know that they will be hungry and talented. Road games in this league are always challenging and we look forward to embracing another quality opponent."
- Head Coach Alan Koch
PLAYERS
FCC: While FC Cincinnati’s retooled offense hasn’t quite hit the ground running in 2017, supporters can take solace in knowing new man Djiby has. The Senegalese striker signed in the offseason has scored in both matches so far, proving a lethal finisher when connecting with service from the wings. Oh, and providing both those assists: Andrew Wiedeman. At the other end of the pitch, Austin Berry being day-to-day following a concussion against Pittsburgh spells for uncertainty for the defense. Paul Nicholson stepped in and deputized well in Berry’s absence, but it could also open the opportunity for now-signed trialists Mélé Temguia and Justin Hoyte to get their first appearances, too.
BSFC: As an MLS2 outfit, guessing who might be in the team for Bethlehem this Sunday could prove tricky. Some of the club’s best performers during preseason were Union loans, and rosters can fluctuate from week to week as players are moved up and down between the teams. Of those loans, the one garnishing the most attention at the moment is Union Academy product Tomas Romero, who made his debut last weekend. . The sixteen-year-old netminder earned his first professional appearance in the 2-3 loss to Rochester, setting a USL record as the youngest-ever goalkeeper to start in the league.
HISTORY
This weekend’s match will be the third meeting between Bethlehem and FCC, and we hold a clear 2-0 advantage in the series to this point. The first of those wins came in last year’s second match of the season, with Wiedeman opening the scoring before setting up Sean Okoli for the second in a 2-1 win. The second win came in July where a Jimmy McLaughlin deflection was the lone goal in a 1-0 win at Nippert.
WEATHER
Last year’s match at Goodman Stadium was a bone chiller with the players forced to do battle with gusting winds and temperatures in the 40’s. This Sunday, however, will be far more hospitable. Just as it will be warmer in Cincinnati, with sunny skies and high-60’s expected instead.
WATCH
This weekend’s match will be broadcast live on Star 64 (WSTR). Most local providers’ station information can be found below:
Over the Air: Channel 64
Cincinnati Bell Fioptics: Channel 11 (SD) or 511 (HD)
Spectrum/TWC (OH): Channel 11 (SD) or 1011 (HD)
Spectrum/TWC (KY): Channel 11 (SD) or 915 (HD)
DirecTV: Channel 64
DISH: Channel 8354
Not in the local viewing area? No problem! Every match in the USL is available to stream as well, and this match is available for free on YouTube.
LISTEN
Away matches are not being broadcast on local radio during the 2017 regular season.
SOCIAL
As is the case every match, you can follow along with the action on our Twitter feed at @fccincinnati. For live looks from before, during and after the match, follow us on Instagram and Snapchat by following 'fccincinnati', too. Halftime and full time updates will also be available on Facebook.
