After months of waiting, preparation and speculation, the 2017 USL regular season is now finally upon us. A preseason full of promise has come and gone, and now we’re on to actual matches that actually count for actual points.
Things get started in 2017 in the same place we got the ball rolling the year prior against a more-than familiar foe. Will things turn out differently than they did in 2016? We’ll have to wait and see. But you can still get acquainted with what to expect and all of the other needed details in the first regular-season match preview of the year below.
WHEN
Saturday, March 25, at 7pm
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE
OPPOSITION
The first regular-season opponent of the year just so happens to be the same opponent we faced at the start and end of last year: the Charleston Battery. Saturday’s match also happens to be the start of the Battery’s historic 25th season in 2017, good enough to make them one of the two longest running professional soccer franchises in American soccer.
VENUE
MUSC Stadium, Charleston, SC
DIRECTIONS
FORM
FCC: With only preseason to lean on when evaluating the Orange & Blue’s current form, things appear to be headed in the right direction ahead of the weekend kickoff to the season. Koch’s men ended their preparations for the season with two straight wins over local college competition: a two-nil win over campus-mates UC, followed by a 3-2 barnburner at Xavier to wrap up preseason. And while goals were in no short supply – netting 12 times in six matches – the guys will be looking to continue tightening things up in the back in the season debut.
CB: Just as is the case for us, judging exactly where Charleston is after preseason is a bit tricky. The Battery played a whopping 10 preseason opponents across the competitive spectrum, facing three MLS sides, a NASL team and six southeastern NCAA teams. They finished a respectable 6-2-2, scoring a hefty 27 goals along the way – though 14 of those came in three blowouts of college teams. But there was potentially a weakness to exploit in those ten preseason matches as well, as the Battery conceded 12 times, too.
COACH
"Opening at Charleston is an interesting assignment, but our team is looking forward to embracing all the challenges that get presented to us this season. We have a lot of belief in our abilities and the team has made some significant progress over the last few weeks. We look forward to playing for three points and getting the season underway."
- Head Coach Alan Koch
PLAYERS
FCC: An established first choice team appeared to be taking shape at the close of preseason. Likely to lead the line is new man, Djiby Fall, who contributed four goals and an assist during season’s preparations. Midfielder Aodhan Quinn and defender Harrison Delbridge also each added a pair of goals in addition to their responsibilities further back on the pitch. But the real questions heading into the match at Charleston are who will man the wings and who will partner Delbridge in central defense. A wide array of attacking players started on the flanks in preseason, including Dacres, Mansaray, McLaughlin and Wiedeman. And with Austin Berry facing a fitness race to be in contention after suffering a sprained elbow in Sacramento, that means we could see either Paul Nicholson or new signing, Mélé Temguia, get a look at centerback.
CB: The Battery haven’t publicized much about their preseason results, but definitely one worthy of keeping an eye on is their speedy and powerful forward, Romario Williams (#9). The Jamaican-born striker led the team in scoring last year and was acquired by new MLS side Atlanta United during the offseason, but was subsequently loaned back to Charleston for the 2017 campaign.
HISTORY
Though only entering its second season, an on-the-pitch rivalry has already started to develop between FCC and Charleston. The sides met three times in 2016, and Charleston definitely took a majority of the spoils. The Orange & Blue finished with a 0-2-1 record over the season series, starting with a season opening 0-1 loss in injury time, a 1-1 draw at Nippert in July, followed by a 1-2 playoff loss to end our season. So yeah… revenge is in order.
WEATHER
Last year’s season opener saw stormy weather delay kickoff an hour and left us with a waterlogged pitch on which we eventually had to play. As of right now, the forecast doesn’t appear to have those types of conditions lying in wait again. Instead mostly cloudy skies with a 10% chance of rain await, with temperatures expected to be a tolerable but humid 71° F.
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: 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.
