FC Cincinnati (2-2-0, 6 points) take a two-game winning streak to Charlotte FC (1-3-0, 3 points) for the first all-time matchup between the two sides. Kickoff from Bank of America Stadium is set for 5 p.m.
FC CINCINNATI AT CHARLOTTE FC – 5 p.m. – BANK OF AMERICA STADIUM
HOW TO WATCH:
Local TV: Star64
National TV: UniMás & TUDN (Simulcast)
National Stream: Twitter
Radio: 1530 ESPN
Talent: Star64: Tom Gelehrter (play-by-play), Kevin McCloskey (analyst), Alex Stec (sideline)
UniMás & TUDN: Luis Omar Tapia (play-by-play), Carlos Pavon (analyst), Marcelo Balboa (analyst), Xavi Sol (sideline)
Be sure to follow @FCCincinnati on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for live updates from the match.
STREAM NOTE
Saturday’s game will be streamed exclusively on Twitter. The match will not be available for streaming on ESPN+ or FCCincinnati.com. It will be televised nationally on UniMás and TUDN, and locally on Star64.
SCOUTING CHARLOTTE FC (1-3-0, 3 pts., 12th EASTERN CONFERENCE)
The newest club in MLS, Charlotte FC welcome the Orange and Blue for their fifth game in club history. After starting with three consecutive losses including conceding two late goals to LA Galaxy and Atlanta United FC, Charlotte finally broke though against Supporters’ Shield holders New England Revolution, a convincing home 3-1 win last Saturday.
Head Coach Miguel Ramírez said following their win: “We really deserve it. We really deserve it. Because of the work that we are doing, the way we are playing. We’re still very new, babies and still very far from giants compared to these big clubs, but we are reducing the distance between them and us.”
Karol Świderski scored the first brace in club history, opening scoring in the 6th minute with the first home goal in club history, followed by the winner in the 57th. In only three games, the Polish striker leads the team in shots (10) and shots on target (8). He was named to the MLS Team of the Week, along with Head Coach Ramírez who was named Coach of the Week.
Six players have played every minute this season, including consistency in defense led by former Leicester City defender and Austrian National Team captain Christian Fuchs. Defenders Guzmán Corujo, Jaylin Lindsey and Christian Makoun, and goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina all have played every minute in Charlotte’s inaugural season.
STORYLINES TO WATCH
MAIDEN VOYAGE – FC Cincinnati make the first trip to the other Queen City to take on Charlotte FC. It’s also the first time the Orange and Blue play on turf this season. All-time on the road (excluding games at Nippert Stadium), FC Cincinnati are 1-5-1 in road games on artificial surfaces, the lone win coming at New England Revolution on March 24.
VAZQUEZ ON FIRE – Brandon Vazquez earned back-to-back MLS Team of the Week honors following his second straight brace. The 23-year-old striker is tied with LAFC’s Carlos Vela and Columbus Crew’s Lucas Zelarayán with the most goals in MLS (4).
Vazquez has scored 10 goals for FC Cincinnati, the most in club history. His 17 shots this season are the most in MLS and his 2.7 non-penalty expected goals, according to FBRef, are the most in the league.
Should Vazquez score two or more goals Saturday night, he would become the first MLS player to score multiple goals in three straight regular season MLS games since Zlatan Ibrahimović in August 2019.
GOING FOR THREE – FC Cincinnati seek their first three-game win streak in club history. The longest unbeaten streak for the Orange and Blue is four, set with four consecutive ties last season.
ASSISTS GALORE – In last Saturday’s win over Inter Miami CF, FC Cincinnati set a club record for assists in a game (6) and in a half (4, first half). Ronald Matarrita assisted two goals, which was the fourth time in club history that a player assisted two goals, the second time he did (Emmanuel Ledesma – 7/6/19 vs. HOU; Luciano Acosta – 9/11/21 vs. TOR; Matarrita – 10/20/21 vs. CHI).
The nine goals + assists in the Miami game set a club record. Additionally, Yuya Kubo has assisted a goal in each of the past two games, having entered the Orlando City SC game without a single assist in his FC Cincinnati career to that point.
NO MATA – Speaking of Ronald Matarrita, FC Cincinnati will be without the Costa Rican defender, who is with his national team for FIFA World Cup Qualification. He earned his 50th cap for the Ticos in their Thursday night 1-0 win vs. Canada. He started and played 69 minutes at left back.
