FC Cincinnati welcome Charlotte FC to TQL Stadium for the first time in club history for a crucial Eastern Conference matchup on Saturday, September 3. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
The two sides are separated by three points and are both chasing the final Eastern Conference playoff spot currently occupied by Inter Miami CF, whose 36 points stand one point clear of the Orange and Blue in eighth place at 35 points.
FC Cincinnati will continue its support for Childhood Cancer Awareness month in September with a special “Kick Childhood Cancer” platform. The game will feature a gold color theme, the adopted color for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and include gold nets and flags, special player patches as well as captain and referee armbands. For more information, visit the Matchday Guide.
Tickets remain for Saturday’s game. Visit the ticket page at fccincinnati.com/tickets, or call 513-977-KICK to learn more.
FC CINCINNATI vs CHARLOTTE FC – SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2022 – 7:30 p.m. ET – TQL STADIUM
HOW TO WATCH
Local TV: Star64
Local Stream: fccincinnati.com
Out of Market Stream: ESPN+
Radio: FOX Sports 1360
Talent: Tom Gelehrter (play-by-play), Kevin McCloskey (analyst), Alex Stec (sideline)
Be sure to follow @FCCincinnati on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for live updates from the game.
GAME ACTIVATIONS
As part of the Kick Childhood Cancer platform, the player walk out will feature kids representing four childhood cancer organizations supported by FCC: The Dragonfly Foundation, Cancer Free Kids, The Cure Starts Now and Ronald McDonald House. A special Kick Childhood Cancer Scarf will be available for sale in the Team Store and at forcincyforclub.com with partial proceeds benefiting local childhood cancer charities.
For more information on all the activations surrounding Saturday’s matchup, including pre-game festivities and Washington Park activities, visit the Matchday Guide, here.
Can’t make it to the game and looking for a place to watch the Orange and Blue? Head to one of the club’s official Pub Partners for the season, which broadcast all home and away games and feature opportunities for fans to win prizes all season long.
ALL-TIME SERIES
Charlotte FC lead the all-time MLS series over FC Cincinnati, 1-0-0
SCOUTING CHARLOTTE FC (10-16-2, 32 PTS, 12TH EASTERN CONFERENCE) *
FC Cincinnati have tied 11 times this season, tied for the third-most draws in MLS. Charlotte FC meanwhile have been the opposite, as their 26 games with a winner are the most in MLS. No team has drawn fewer than Charlotte, who have tied just twice.
The expansion side have been strong at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, where the club has an 8-6-0 record and a +7-goal difference. One of those wins came against FC Cincinnati on March 26, a 2-0 win for the hosts, one of only five games all season the Orange and Blue were held scoreless.
On the road, Charlotte FC have struggled this season. On the road, Charlotte’s goal difference of -17 is the worst in MLS this season, their .214 win percentage is tied for the second-worst in the league, and only Inter Miami CF have scored fewer road goals than Charlotte, who have scored 13 times away from home.
However, the last time CLT FC took the road, they defeated the defending champions New York City FC, 3-1.
The expansion side parted ways with their head coach Miguel Angel Ramirez on May 31. Prior to his dismissal the team held a 5-8-1 record. Since then, Charlotte has held an identical record under interim head coach Christian Lattanzio: 5-8-1.
Polish striker Karol Swiderski leads the Charlotte attack with eight goals. He scored both goals for CLT FC when they defeated the Orange and Blue 2-0 back in March. Andre Shinyashiki has scored five times while a trio of players have each scored three times, including their captain and former team leader of the Austrian National Team, Christian Fuchs.
No. 1 overall selection in MLS SuperDraft 2022 Ben Bender has played in 27 of the 29 games this season and has put together a strong rookie campaign and has scored three times. Him alongside Brandt Bronico have been stalwarts in the midfield for Charlotte.
FC CINCINNATI NOTES
THE LONGEST ACTIVE STREAK – FC Cincinnati forward Brandon Vazquez holds the longest active home goal scoring streak in MLS, and with a goal on Saturday, would hold the longest such streak this season in MLS. He has scored in six straight games at TQL Stadium, which is matched with LA Galaxy’s Dejan Joveljić (May 29 – July 24) for the longest in MLS this year.
Philadelphia Union’s Dániel Gazdag and Austin FC’s Sebastián Driussi each have scored in five straight home games, right behind Vazquez for the active league-lead.
THE BATTLE OF THE QUEEN CITIES – FC Cincinnati welcome Charlotte FC to Ohio’s version of the Queen City for the first time in club history. The Orange and Blue seek to defeat a 14th different MLS club. This season FCC have earned first wins since joining MLS against four sides (ORL, MIA, MIN, PHI).
FC Cincinnati have defeated at least once all but three current Eastern Conference foes: Charlotte FC, New York City FC (the club’s next opponent on Sept. 7) and D.C. United, who the Orange and Blue will travel to face on Decision Day.
MATT MIAZGA, GOAL SCORER – FC Cincinnati center back Matt Miazga scored his second goal in as many games last Saturday against the Crew. With the goal he became the first primary defender for FCC to score in consecutive games. If he scores against Charlotte, it'll be the sixth time an FCC player in MLS scores in three straight games.
No FC Cincinnati player has scored three (or more) times within their first four games with the club.
OBI’S BACK! – After missing last Saturday’s game due to yellow card suspension, FC Cincinnati Designated Player Obinna Nwobodo is available for selection against Charlotte FC.
Nwobodo, despite appearing in just 17 games for FC Cincinnati, leads the team in tackles (65), tackles won (32) and possessions won (130). Per Stats Perform, he leads FCC field players with 130 recoveries, where a player recovers the ball in a situation where neither team has possession or where the ball has been played directly to him by an opponent, thus securing possession for their team.
THE ASSISTS LEADER – Luciano Acosta continues to hold the MLS-lead in assists, with 15 entering the weekend slate. Acosta’s 10 assists from open play also lead the league.
Last Saturday against Columbus, Acosta recorded his 25th career assist with FC Cincinnati, 15 more career assists than any other player (Álvaro Barreal – 10).
NOONAN’S TAKE
Head Coach Pat Noonan on the team’s positioning
“We're still sitting in a in a position to challenge for the playoffs. And like I said to the group, it's in our own hands. If we take care of our games remaining, and we get good results, we'll be a playoff team. We don't need to rely on anybody else. Even though we're in the eighth position right now, with seven games remaining, if we take care of our games and get our results, we'll be a playoff team."
Fans can place deposits now for 2023 Season Tickets, and current season ticket holders can renew for 2023 now. Anyone with interest in 2023 Season Tickets can place their deposit HERE, or by calling 513-977-KICK, that’s 513-977-5425.
FC Cincinnati's 2022 schedule can be viewed, HERE. Fans can build their custom 3 Match Flex Plan today. Pick any three matches and save on single match ticket pricing with no fees at checkout. Fans can pick the same seats for three games or select different options around TQL Stadium.
Single match tickets to any of FC Cincinnati’s remaining home games are also available now, head to fccincinnati.com/tickets or call 513-977-KICK, to learn more.
FC Cincinnati are playing their fourth season of MLS competition in 2022, and their second playing at TQL Stadium. For up-to-the-minute information about FC Cincinnati, visit the team’s official website at fccincinnati.com, or follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @FCCincinnati. Additionally, fans are encouraged to download the team’s official mobile app on the Apple App Store or Google Play for instant access to mobile tickets, team content and match notifications.
