FC Cincinnati will take to the pitch at Nippert Stadium for the third time in eight days on Saturday, July 21, when New York Red Bulls II visit for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. The match will be televised on WSTR 64, streamed on ESPN+ and carried live on ESPN 1530 AM.
Saturday's match is also the third in a seven-match home stand for the Orange and Blue, including the club's international friendly and MLS celebration on July 28 against Barcelona-based RCD Espanyol.
Tickets for all matches during the current summer homestand are still available online at fccincinnati.com or by calling 513-977-5425.
A LITTLE BACKGROUND
Saturday's meeting between New York Red Bulls II and Cincinnati will be the second and final during the 2018 USL regular season, and the sixth between the two all time. Although the series record skews in New York's favor, the Orange and Blue have made headway in the series in their most recent clashes. FCC has won each of the last two meetings, including its first-ever win away against the Baby Bulls on June 2 at Red Bull Arena.
Currently in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, the NYRB II possess the league's top-scoring offense and is brings a three-match winning streak into Saturday's encounter at Nippert Stadium. And though they've outscored their opponents 11-3 during their hot streak, all three victories came against sides in the bottom half of the table.
As for the hosts, FC Cincinnati extended its current unbeaten run to nine matches following their midweek 2-0 win over Charlotte Independence on Wednesday. A 6-0-3 record during that spell has seen the FCC defense post six shutouts, more than doubling their clean sheets total during their first 11 matches.
And with the Orange and Blue's second-ranked offense (1.95 goals per game) continuing to hum along nicely, Alan Koch's men will face a New York defense ranked 24th in the league, allowing 1.55 goals per game.
WHAT TO EXPECT
It's not surprising to see Red Bulls II head coach John Wolyniec once again running a high-powered, offensive team. New York finished third in scoring in 2017, while his 2016 USL Champion side finished first in the league the year before. And not only are the Red Bulls leading the USL in scoring with 43 goals through 20 games, but they have posted almost 70 shots more than any other team in the league. They've averaged 26 shots over their last four matches, but only 37 percent of those were on target, and their conversion rate is even lower at 15 percent.
Wolniec's 2018 team is paced by 22-year-old American attacker Amando Moreno (#20). Standing at just 5-foot-6, Moreno's nine goals and three assists in 19 matches demonstrate the danger of underestimating the diminutive attacker. He's frequently joined up top by fellow American 22-year-olds Brian White (#42) and Jared Stroud (#50), both of whom have been productive this season. White has chipped in seven goals and five assists while Stroud has offered three goals and six assists.
Not without their own firepower, FC Cincinnati also boasts a high-octane offense of its own. Forward Danni König was given a rest against Charlotte on Wednesday and will likely have a chance to add to his nine goals and one assist on Saturday. He and Emmanuel Ledesma (nine goals, eight assists) each tallied in FCC's 2-1, come-from-behind win at New York in June. Midfielder Nazmi Albadawi, who has seven goals and an assist in 2018, also had a lighter evening on Wednesday as a late-match substitution.
Defensively, FCC look as equipped as ever to handle New York's firepower. Evan Newton's eighth shutout of the season against Charlotte was his defense's fourth straight and sixth in eight league games. The goalkeeper now sits third in the USL in clean sheets as FCC is tied for fourth overall in the league with nine on the season.
