No doubt, it’s been a tumultuous few weeks in FC Cincinnati Land. Thanks to a pair of heavy-handed losses in the league and a heartbreaking loss in the Cup, this week’s midweek fixture represents a vital opportunity to get our season back on the tracks. And with the playoffs looming, the timing couldn’t be any better.
WHEN
Wednesday, August 23rd, at 7:30pm
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE
Thanks to feedback received from our supporters about midweek kickoff times, we’ve pushed back kickoff from 7pm to 7:30pm to help ease arrival times. Gates will also open 30 minutes later at 6:30pm. Please also keep in mind that with the UC’s fall semester now in session, there will be increased traffic around campus. Be sure to arrive early to make sure you get a spot in your favorite parking garage and don’t miss kickoff!
OPPOSITION
We’ll be facing USL Eastern Conference new boys Ottawa Fury FC, a side in their first season in the USL after making the jump over from the NASL. Though not an MLS “B team”, Ottawa do serve as the USL affiliate for Montreal Impact.
VENUE
Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
DIRECTIONS
PROMOTION(S)
There are two major promotions occurring at this week’s match:
- This will be our second annual Craft Beer Night at Nippert Stadium! To celebrate the occasion, all 12oz draft pours of craft beer will be available for just $5. And if you’re not into the craft scene, domestic drafts will be just $4.
- It will also be College Night this Wednesday! All University of Cincinnati students, faculty, staff and alumni can snag discounted tickets using promo code “BEARCATS17”. Plus, watch for UC Bearcats soccer teams to participate in the halftime shootout!
FORM
FCC: Things have not gone well for the Orange & Blue in recent weeks. The heavy away defeats to New York Red Bulls II (0-4) and Louisville City FC (0-5), plus the 3-2 extra time loss to the Red Bulls’ first team in the Open Cup semifinals, followed a 2-2 home draw with Orlando City B and a 2-3 home loss to Rochester Rhinos. That leaves FCC winless in their last five competitive fixtures, in which they carried a negative -11 goal differential. That kind of form leaves them on the outside looking in on post-season action, hovering just below the playoff line in ninth place. But with six of our remaining eight matches coming against sides lower than us in the table, all is not loss.
OFFC: Ottawa, meanwhile, will enter the match in slightly better form than ourselves. Though they’ve won twice in their last five – including a 3-1 home win over current Eastern Conference-toppers Charlotte – they enter our game tomorrow following a 1-1 draw at Tampa Bay and 3-0 loss at Orlando. Those two wins were also their only wins in their last ten. And much like us, Ottawa aren’t the best on their travels. They’ve gone just 2-6-3 away from the Canadian capital and are winless in their last five on the road.
COACH
"We know that tomorrow will be a tough match against a very physical opponent. We have had an abundance of matches in a short amount of time over the last few months and will need to put in a complete effort to be successful in this challenge. The importance of this match is not lost on the team and we look forward to feeding off of the home crowd’s energy tomorrow night."
- Head Coach Alan Koch
PLAYERS
FCC: Having conceded so many goals over our last five matches, goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt will be looking for something more out of himself and his backline. A few names we could see in action tomorrow include Sem de Wit, who returns from suspension, and Tyler Polak, who was back in the 18 last weekend after a lengthy injury spell. The club will also be thirsty for goals having been shut out in their last two outings. Who those will come from though? It’s anyone’s guess at this point.
OFFC: No one player has shown themselves to be the star for Ottawa this season. Rather, they are a side that gets things done by spreading the love. Spanish striker Sito Seoane (#11) leads the team in scoring with 5 goals and an assist in 20 appearances, forward followed closely by big Cape Verde forward Steevan dos Santos (#8) who has four goals in 17. If he’s included in the team, Montreal Impact loanee Michael Salazar (#77) is also worth a look: he’s contributed two goals and an assist in just four matches. That said, he’s been getting minutes with his MLS side in the last month and his inclusion is unlikely.
HISTORY
This will be the first ever league meeting with Ottawa, though we have met them once before on the pitch. That lone encounter came during preseason this year at IMG Academy and ended in a 1-1 draw.
WEATHER
Today’s rain will give way this evening and leave behind it cooler temperatures and dry skies for tomorrow’s match. Kickoff temperatures are expected to be around 75° F with clear skies and lower than average humidity.
WATCH
This week’s match was originally scheduled to show on the CW, but has been bumped up to a broadcast on Star 64 (WSTR) – which means a high-def broadcast for most! Local providers’ station information can be found below:
Over the Air: Channel 12.2
Cincinnati Bell Fioptics: Channel 17 (SD) or 517 (HD)
Spectrum/TWC (OH): Channel 20/13 (SD) or 989 (HD)
Spectrum/TWC (KY): Channel 20 (SD) or 989 (HD)
DirecTV: Channel 25
DISH: Not Available
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
All FC Cincinnati home matches are broadcast live on local radio on ESPN 1530, which can be streamed for free through their iHeartRadio feed.
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 Instagramand Snapchat by following 'fccincinnati', too. Halftime and full time updates will also be available on Facebook.
