The last time FC Cincinnati played the Philadelphia Union on March 30, FCC came in after reeling off back-to-back wins over Portland and New England, but rain fell in buckets and wind lashed through Nippert Stadium. FCC lost 2-0.
The conditions for Wednesday night’s match are better – no rain is in the forecast. However, the Orange and Blue haven’t won since and are looking to break a three-game losing streak. They also have less time to prepare following the 1-0 defeat at New York Red Bulls this past Saturday night.
But regardless of recent adversity, Cincinnati enter the rematch with Philly immediately following its best attacking half in almost a month. While the final product hasn’t been goals, the club hit the post three times at Red Bull Arena and outplayed the home side until the final whistle.
FCC will be looking to carry that approach into Talen Energy Stadium.
“I think the second 45 minutes were much better for us than the first 45 minutes, but we are very cognizant and know we need to put together a full 90-minute performance, particularly on the road,” Head Coach Alan Koch said. “We’ll take a lot out of the second 45 minutes, but we need to learn from the first 45 minutes, too.”
The club also learned about the Union from the previous matchup and must react in order to earn points. In that meeting, FC Cincinnati saw their midfielder clogged by Philadelphia’s diamond midfield. The home side was outnumbered and unable to create sustained opportunities going forward.
Koch said he expects Philadelphia will attempt the same approach Wednesday night.
“They’ve come out and started the season very, very well,” he said. “So, I think we’re fairly aware of how they’re going to play. It doesn’t mean it’s easy to play against them, obviously, but we’re aware of it. We have to put a plan in place and try to nullify what they’re good at – out and in their system – and make sure we focus on some of the things we’re working on.”
Match Info
FC Cincinnati at Philadelphia Union
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Talen Energy Stadium
Weather Forecast: Cloudy, 58 degrees
TV: WSTR Star64
In-Market Video Stream: FloFC
Out-of-Market Video Steam: ESPN+
Local Radio: WDJO (99.5 FM | 107.9 FM | 1480 AM)
Audio Stream: TuneIn App, fccincinnati.com
Player to Watch and his Health Carousel Player Resume
Opponent’s Player to Watch: forward David Accam
In six appearances this season, the Ghanaian forward has three goals and two assists from eight shots.
FC Cincinnati fans might remember him from the match on March 30, when Accam had a goal and an assist.
Club Connections:
- Jimmy McLaughlin and Corben Bone – and FCC strength and conditioning coach Austin Berry – all played for the Union. Berry and McLaughlin were there in 2014 and 2015, while Bone was there in 2015. All three played alongside Fabinho and Andre Blake. Warren Creavealle joined the team in 2015.
- Creavalle and Nick Hagglund played together at Toronto FC in 2014 and 2015.
- Creavalle and Emery Welshman both play for the Guyana National Team and played when the club sealed a spot in the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup earlier this year.
- Hassan Ndam and Aurélien Collin were in the New York Red Bulls organization together in 2017 and 2018.
- Ndam and Olivier Mbaizo were rostered on Cameroonian side Rainbow FC in 2016.
- Darren Mattocks and Alvas Powell have played with Blake and Cory Burke on the Jamaica National Team.
- In his U.S. Men’s National Team debut, Eric Alexander replaced Alejandro Bedoya in a 1-1 draw with Chile on Jan. 22, 2011.
- Caleb Stanko was also on the USMNT roster with Bedoya for a 4-0 World Cup Qualifier win against Trinidad and Tobago on Sept. 6, 2016; they both saw time in the game.
- Frankie Amaya and Matt Real have played together on the U.S. Under-20 National Team.
