FC Cincinnati will kick off a 4-match home stand with 3 matches coming over the span of 8 days.Here are 5 Things to Know going into Saturday night’s match as well as the new March to Matchday Podcast with Jason Bailey of ESPN Charlotte’s 2nd Yellow Soccer Show.
Where: Cincinnati, OH – Nippert Stadium
When: Saturday, June 10th at 7:00 p.m. EST
Form: FC Cincinnati (4W-5L-3D, 15 pts.) 7th Place, Charlotte Independence ( 3W-3L-3D, 12 pts.) 12th Place
YOUR FAVORITE PEOPLE THIS WEEK – Ref Assignments:
REF: BARDHYL PASHAJ, AR1: Art Arustamyan, AR2: Kyle Maust, 4TH: Noah Matos
March to Matchday #13: Charlotte Independence – Podcast
Join host Bryan Weigel for the newest addition to Cincinnati Soccer Talk lineup. March to Matchday will provide an in-depth preview of the upcoming opponent as well as how FC Cincinnati can best defeat them. This show will hopefully fit in your drive time to work, to the pub on game day or lead you right up to game time. We hope you enjoy March to Matchday #13!
Don’t forget you can now download and subscribe to Cincinnati Soccer Talk on iTunes today! The podcast can also be found on Stitcher Smart Radio now. We’re also available in the Google Play Store.
5 Things to Know
Set The Tone: Saturday’s match will kick off a span of 3 matches in 8 days for Cincinnati, all of which have big implications. Charlotte enters the match in 12th but averages 1.33 points per game through their 9 matches. FC Cincinnati sits in 7th but has averaged 1.25 points per game through their 12 matches to date. The points per game are not reflected in the standings, but if it was, FCC would drop to 10th place and out of the current playoff picture. The Orange & Blue will need to make a statement on Saturday and help put some points between them and playoff contender Charlotte. A big win here could give FC Cincinnati the confidence they need to make a good playoff push. With a huge match vs. Columbus midweek and 1st place Charleston next Saturday, 3 points is a must vs. Charlotte.
Who Will We See: I highly doubt that we will see the heavy roster rotation that we saw last weekend in Rochester. Coach Koch seems to respect the home crowd a little more than the away fanbases, so we should still see a quality group on the weekend. One of the biggest questions for FC Cincinnati is who will go up top? Djiby Fall returns from suspension for this match and could use some more time to gel with teammates before the two huge matches coming up. I also wonder if Koch will run out players who have had issues with fitness. Does he save them (Berry, Hoyte, Fordyce) for Wednesday or could he choose to get newcomer Josu some more experience? There is no doubt many will be interested to see the XI on Saturday.
Return of Casey: FC Cincinnati loanee Casey Townsend returns to the real Queen City this weekend. The forward was loaned from FCC to Charlotte just before the beginning of the season and has been searching for consistent playing time there. He has started 2 matches for Charlotte and has appeared in 3 more without scoring. I wonder if the terms in the loan deal allow Townsend to play vs. his parent club. If not, Charlotte could have a short bench after the normal starters up top of Enzo Martinez and Jorge Herrera.
Nearing 2016 Loss Total: With the loss over the weekend to Rochester, FC Cincinnati is 1 loss away from their regular season loss total from 2016. With 6 losses in 2016 vs. 5 in a third as many matches, should we begin to worry if our place at the top half of the table is in doubt? There cannot be enough of an importance in knowing how to at least earn a point. If FCC can’t at least manage a point at home to Charlotte, there will be many fans ready to voice their displeasure. We have been asked to trust the process, but results in league play will really need to ramp up.
Charlotte Looking for Consistency: The 2017 Charlotte Independence have struggled out of the gate at times. At 3-3-3, Coach Jeffries side is looking for a little more consistent play to earn results. With injuries to several key players, Charlotte has leaked goals and have not been able to manage many quality performances back-to-back. The Independence will be moving into their new stadium this month and they hope it helps them string some good results together. We will see if Martinez and Co. can remain a pesky side to FCC from 2016 and if we give them a chance to take 3 points from Nippert.
Stay tuned to Cincinnati Soccer Talk for our Growler Cup Staff Predictions and more news and information leading up to the Charlotte Independence match!
Supporter Groups Pregame Match Parties
We encourage all fans to get down to Clifton early and enjoy themselves at the areas many restaurants and pubs. Many Supporter Groups hang out in the “Short Vine” area where you can join in the march to Nippert Stadium. Some of these locations can be rowdier than others, but families and opposing fans are encouraged to come out and join the various groups. The Supporters March Should begin at approx. 6 p.m.
Die Innenstadt: Mecklenburg Gardens – 302 E University Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45219
The Pride: Ladder 19 – 2701 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45219
Queen City Firm: Mio’s Pizzeria Pub – 2634 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45219
Queen City Mafia: Short Vine Bearcat Statue Lot – 2700 Block of Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45219
The Legion: Taste of Belgium Clifton – 2845 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45219
The Bailey Bastards: Hang Over Easy – 3 W Charlton St, Cincinnati, OH 45219
For more information and how to join the supporters march, check out our matchday guide!
Viewing
TV: This contest is set for a 7 p.m. EST kickoff on Saturday night. Broadcasting partner Sinclair Broadcasting Group will now air all FC Cincinnati home & away matches. Saturday’s match will be live on Star64 (WSTR). The match will also be broadcast at FC Cincinnati’s pub partners or by Streaming internet on USL’s Youtube station.
RADIO: You can listen LIVE on FC Cincinnati’s radio partner ESPN 1530 AM which will simulcast the TV broadcast team. Tom Gelehrter will return as the play-by-play announcer for the team’s home matches along with Kevin McCloskey providing color analysis and Lindsay Patterson reporting from the sideline.
@bryanweigel for @CincySoccerTalk
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