FC Cincinnati (4-5-1, 13 points) hit the road for the first of three consecutive road contests, and the third game of five in 15 days. The Orange and Blue face off with Minnesota United FC (4-3-2, 14 points) at Allianz Field at 8 p.m. ET.
FC CINCINNATI at MINNESOTA UNITED FC – Saturday May 7, 2022 – 8 p.m. ET – ALLIANZ FIELD
HOW TO WATCH
Local TV: Star64
Local Stream: fccincinnati.com
Out of Market Stream: ESPN+
Radio: ESPN 1530
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.
HEAD TO A PUB PARTNER
Fans can catch the action at one of 14 official Pub Partners for located across the region. Pub Partners are presented by Coors Light. The FCC Street Team will join the party this Saturday at La Ofrenda and Bean & Barley.
SCOUTING MINNESOTA UNITED FC (4-3-2, 14 PTS., 6th WESTERN CONFERENCE)
Led by leading goal scorer Robin Lod and explosive playmaker Emmanuel Reynoso, Minnesota United FC sit square in the middle of an early playoff race in the Western Conference. The Loons have conceded just eight goals all season, tied for 3rd best in MLS during the 2022 season.
Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair has made 31 saves this season, which is good for top 5 in the league. The Canadian international is one of the most reliable shot stoppers around, and the stingy Minnesota defense will be a test for an FC Cincinnati team which ranks first in the league in expected goals and expected assists.
STORYLINES OF THE GAME
LET’S GO STREAKING
FC Cincinnati comes into Saturday’s contest on a two-game winning streak following a double over Toronto FC last weekend and on Wednesday. It’s the second two-game streak this season for the Orange and Blue, who are looking to eclipse last season’s win total just 11 games into the season. FC Cincy is 5-3-1 in the last nine matches in all competitions.
SETTING HIGH EXPECTATIONS
FC Cincinnati currently lead MLS in both xG (20.53) and xA (13.14). That’s a massive improvement from an FC Cincinnati squad which last season ranked 26th of 27 clubs in MLS in xG. FC Cincinnati also lead the league in chances created, with 95, ahead of LA Galaxy, NYCFC and Atlanta United FC.
BUSY BUSY FCC
FC Cincinnati are in the midst of one of the busiest stretches it will see this season, with five matches in 15 days. FCC took all six points from the first two matches against Toronto, and will play at Minnesota (5/7), at New England Revolution (U.S. Open Cup, 5/11), and at Chicago Fire FC (5/14).
ALL ABOUT LUCHO ACOSTA
FC Cincinnati midfielder Luciano Acosta has scored in three consecutive games for FC Cincinnati, only the second player to do so in club history after Brandon Vazquez's three straight games with a strike last October. He can become the first player in Orange and Blue to score in four straight if he finds the back of the net Saturday.
Acosta, who scored his 11th goal with FC Cincinnati on Wednesday and is now tied with Vazquez for the most goals in club history, could make the 150th start of his MLS career in Minnesota.
