Just one week after downing the NPSL's Detroit City FC in the second round, FC Cincinnati returns to action in the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play tomorrow, Wednesday, May 23, at 7 p.m.
But with the fourth-round draw sending FC Cincinnati to Highmark Stadium to face USL rivals Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, the match will be just the third away match for FCC in what will be the club’s ninth U.S. Open Cup outing. And with league matches between each round, as well as after, the club is truly in the midst of schedule congestion.
How exactly might that fixture pile-up impact tomorrow's match, which is set to be shown exclusively on a live stream on ussoccer.com? Read on to find out.
A LITTLE BACKGROUND
Wednesday's match, while the seventh in the overall series between the clubs and second of this season, will be the first ever time the Orange & Blue have met the Riverhounds in Open Cup action.
And just as was the case when the teams met back in April for league play, there are a few interesting facts about the match that still hold true now.
Entering tomorrow's match, FCC are still undefeated all-time against Pittsburgh, posting three wins and three draws. The last of those fixtures came on April 21 at Nippert Stadium, with things ending in a dramatic 2-2 draw after the Orange & Blue scored two second-half goals to claim a point. Pittsburgh were also still undefeated in 2018 competitive fixtures entering the April meeting, and remain as such heading into Wednesday’s game. In fact, they’re the lone remaining side without a defeat in the USL.
Adding to the intrigue this time around, Pittsburgh have yet to concede a goal at home in five matches in 2018, while FC Cincinnati have yet to be held scoreless in six matches on the road.
Since a winner must be decided Wednesday evening, at least one of those streaks are going to have to end.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The one-week turnaround between the second and third rounds of the Open Cup is a new format change for the 2018 campaign, and it has both its blessings and its curses.
The shortened timeframe means the Orange & Blue have less time to recover from the previous weekend's 4-1 win over North Carolina FC AND the previous round of Cup action that saw a full 120 minutes of action in the final 4-1 victory over Detroit City FC in extra time last Wednesday.
The increased number of matches provided by the Open Cup means extra minutes are being rotated throughout the squad and players who have been fighting hard for first-team minutes are getting opportunities to step up. And last time out, several players seized those opportunities.
Forward Emery Welshman made his first start in five matches and produced his first career hat trick against Detroit City. At the other end of the pitch, Paddy Barret donned the captain’s armband in just his second appearance for the Orange & Blue, while winger Russell Cicerone came off the bench and put in an hour's worth of work while also making his FCC debut.
With another league match looming at the weekend -- against arch-rival and second-place Louisville, no less – it wouldn’t be surprising to see head coach Alan Koch work some fresh legs into the lineup tomorrow, too.
That said, the Orange & Blue aren't the only ones with a congested schedule to navigate.
The Riverhounds are fresh off a return from a taxing 2-2 draw in muggy St. Petersburg Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Following Wednesday’s USOC game, Pittsburgh will host in-state USL rival Penn SC Saturday night.
Head coach Bob Lilley made eight changes to the side that he used in the Riverhounds’ 2-1 second-round Open Cup road win against Erie Commodores FC. As the Riverhounds sit in the top four of the USL Eastern Conference, Lilley could be in the similar position as Koch potentially looking to use a wider variety of players than he may otherwise.
The question is, will he?
