FC Cincinnati 2 make their first ever trip to Huntsville, Ala. this Sunday, August 6 as the Orange and Blue take on Huntsville City FC at Joe Davis Stadium at 7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT).
The two teams will face for just the second time following Huntsville’s expansion into MLS NEXT Pro at the start of the 2023 season. The match will be streamed live on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV App.
FC CINCINNATI 2 at HUNTSVILLE CITY FC – SUNDAY, AUGUST 6, 2023 – 7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT) – JOE DAVIS STADIUM
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ALL-TIME SERIES
Sunday’s match will be the second all-time meeting between the two sides and second and final meeting of the 2023 season. The Orange and Blue are 0-0-1 against Huntsville having played to a 2-2 draw in the third match of the season (Huntsville won in the shootout, 7-6).
THE LAST MEETING
FC Cincinnati 2 and Huntsville City FC split points back in April in a 2-2 draw at Scudamore Field at NKU Soccer Stadium. Huntsville earned an extra point in the shootout, 7-6. Arquimides Ordoñez scored his fifth and sixth goals of the season to match Huntsville goals from Oliver Wright and Danny Griffin. Huntsville converted on seven of eight penalties to claim and extra point.
SCOUTING HUNTSVILLE CITY FC (7-8-4, 28 PTS., 8TH EASTERN CONFERENCE)
Huntsville played the first seven matches of their season away from home where they earned just six points in two months. A 2-1 win against Crown Legacy FC to open Joe Davis Stadium jump started Huntsville’s season as the MLS NEXT Pro expansion side have won six of their last 11 and are climbing up the Eastern Conference Standings.
Azaad Liadi and Kemy Amiche have powered Huntsville’s run up the Eastern Conference table as the pair have combined for 15 goals for the Boys in Blue this season. Liadi has scored in four straight matches for Huntsville and leads the team with eight goals while Amiche has two goals in his last four appearances and is second on the team in assists with four.
Huntsville have been dangerous in attack at home and are averaging three goals per game over their last four outings, highlighted by a 6-2 win over Orlando City B on July 9, and have been lighting up the Joe Davis Stadium scoreboard. The Boys in Blue have scored multiple goals in five of eight home matches this season and have scored three or more goals in three of those eight matches.
Despite their strong offense form, Huntsville have had a mixed bag of results at home. Huntsville are 4-3-1 at Joe Davis Stadium and most recently dropped points in a 2-1 loss to Toronto FC II on July 16. Huntsville close out their inaugural season in MLS NEXT Pro with six of their last nine matches at home.
Welcome, Lucas! – FC Cincinnati 2 added depth in midfield Thursday morning with the signing of 18-year-old Lucas Tamarez. Tamarez inked an MLS NEXT Pro deal with the Orange and Blue after spending the last six seasons in TSG Hoffenheim’s youth system. Tamarez will be available for selection this Sunday against Huntsville.
Start of a busy week – The Orange and Blue kickoff a busy week of action against Huntsville as they play the first of three over an eight-day stretch. FC Cincinnati 2 follow up Sunday’s match against Chicago Fire FC II at home on Thursday, August 10 and then head back on the road against Philadelphia Union II on August 13.
Away mileage – The final two months of the season will see the Orange and Blue on the road for six of the team’s final nine matches. FC Cincinnati 2 will play three of the next four on the road and close out the season with three of their last four matches away from Northern Kentucky.
Academy representation – 15 current or former FC Cincinnati Academy products have featured at least once for FC Cincinnati 2 this season. 12 of those players have made at least one start for the Orange and Blue.
Playoffs – It’s still a tight race for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and Sunday’s match is a big one for both sides. Nine points separate FC Cincinnati 2 from 7th place Chicago Fire FC II and a win would cut the gap to six points with the two teams meeting this coming Thursday.
