While all of us wait for FC Cincinnati to resume play with the #HellIsReal Derby at 10:30 p.m. on July 11, there’s a decent chance some of FCC’s players may have already played earlier that day.
The USL Championship returns to play that day, meaning three FCC players might feature for the first time since their season was suspended on March 12.
The USL Championship divided its teams to eight regionalized groups – five groups comprised of four teams and three groups comprised of five teams. Each team will complete a 16-game season. The top two teams from every group will advance to the 2020 USL Championship Playoffs, competing in a single-elimination bracket.
The league hasn’t announced the schedule for the remainder of the season, but we do know that FCC’s three on-loan players will be in three different groups in the Eastern Conference.
Here’s a quick refresher:
Ben Lundt
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Louisville City FC
Group: E
Lundt and Lou City beat North Carolina FC, 1-0, in their 2020 season opener. When play resumes, they’ll be in a group with Indy Eleven, Saint Louis FC and Sporting Kansas City II to finish the season.
The German goalkeeper has only played one game in the last calendar year – in the win over North Carolina – because of an injury and the global pandemic, but Lundt delivered an impressive performance and could be Lou City’s starter in a few weeks.
Photo provided by Miami FC.
Hassan Ndam
Position: Defender
Club: Miami FC
Group: H
The USL Championship newcomers only played one match in league play before the suspension, but will play Atlanta United 2, the Charleston Battery and the Tampa Bay Rowdies when play returns.
Ndam didn’t feature in the first match, but the 21-year-old center back should pick up plenty of appearances moving forward.
Photo provided by the Charlotte Independence.
Rey Ortiz
Position: Winger
Club: Charlotte Independence
Group: G
Ortiz made his debut for Charlotte in the club’s only match so far in 2020: a 2-1 win at Sporting KC II.
The 2020 MLS SuperDraft pick’s next match will come against either Birmingham Legion FC, Memphis 901 FC or North Carolina FC – the Independence group opponents.
Ortiz had a lively preseason with FC Cincinnati, earning two assists in the team’s preseason opener. It’ll be interesting to see how the remainder of his rookie season transpires.
