FC Cincinnati travels north of the border for an early afternoon (2 p.m.) match against the last place team in the Eastern Conference FC Montreal.
Brad Weigel
This may be a reoccurring theme you’ll hear about FC Montreal but it’s a team that we should handle with ease. With an average age of 20 years old, the Baby Impact hasn’t had much of an “impact” in the USL this season. They are conceding almost 2 goals a game while averaging less than 1. They also could be weakened by a Wednesday night friendly where some of their top talent may get called up to the MLS squad to eat up some minutes.
FC Cincinnati won’t be without some troubles either. Harrison Delbridge picked up his 5th Yellow Card against Charleston (some might say at the right time) so he’ll have to sit out this match. Replacing him might be Evan Lee or Paul Nicholson who is day to day off an injury. With a 10 day layoff between until our next match I still expect Coach Harkes to trot out most of his best XI. I expect Sean Okoli to view this match as an opportunity to get right and score a couple goals from the run of play. All in all 3 points are a must and I predict a 3-1 FC Cincinnati victory!
Yosief Tzeghai
It’s a tight race between the top four squads in the Eastern conference. While it’s unwise to overlook any opponent in this league, a weaker Montreal side provides a great opportunity for FCC to take three points. Even though Harrison Delbridge will be suspended, I think the boys in blorange can produce a clean sheet. I’m predicting a 2-0 win for the Cincinnati Soccer Ball Kicking Good Guys.
Bryan Weigel
I think Coach Harkes will use this opportunity against a weaker opponent to get in some squad rotation. I’d be interested to see how Narbon would do over an extended period of time as we saw some dangerous chances from him last match. We should also see Evan Lee get a chance to start with Delbridge suspended. I also might trot out Omar Mohamed to see if he could break the defense down with his blazing speed on the flank. In the end I don’t think FC Montreal should trouble FCC to much and I expect a 2-0 win for the good guys.
Bill Wolf
It’s fairly difficult to predict what this game may look like. The Impact play an exhibition match that evening, Will players who have shown some promise get pulled up to that match as a reward? Will Cincinnati rest some starters and give some reserve players some time since Montreal is so low in the standings? We know Walker is out, Nicholson seems unlikely, Delbridge is out on yellow card accumulation, McMahon is in question as is Hoppenot.
Despite all of that uncertainty, what we know is that Montreal FC has not been good this year. They have only won 2 games and tied 1. They have a meager 7 points in the standings. Cincinnati sits in 3rd place, wanting to fend off Charleston who is a couple of points behind and make a play for second where they sit 4 points behind Louisville and have a game in hand. A team of our quality and strength is expected to win this game.
Given the number of away games in our schedule and the fact that we get a 9 day break after this match, I see Coach Harkes rolling in with full strength and going for a solid 3 point win so the boys take their deserved rest on a strong confidence booster.
I expect to see the 4-1-4-1 again but we’ll replace Delbridge most likely with Lee. Probably still will see Luke if rumor is correct that McMahon took a knock. Still squad has show it has the capability to control possession and get lots of shots. I think we’re due to get some in the back of the net. The instability in the back will be our challenge for this game. Berry is still working back to his full energy level, Lee and Luke are coming in as starters potentially. For this reason, I expect Montreal to get one in dashing away a clean sheet. I think this one is going to end 3-1 for the soccer ball kicking good guys.
Nick Seuberling
3 points today are an absolute must for FC Cincinnati. With an extended break ahead lets hope the Orange and Blue can finish this tough stretch on a high note. 2-1 FC Cincinnati.
Michael Walker
A team with FC Cincinnati’s Eastern Conference title aspirations really needs to win games like these. They will get it done on the road, a 2-0 victory before a much needed week and a half of rest.
STANDINGS
Viewing Parties
Die Innenstadt – Rhinehaus OTR – 119 E 12th St, Cincinnati, OH 45202 – OPENS AT 1:45 p.m.
The Pride – Molly Malones – 112 E 4th St, Covington, KY 41011
Viewing
TV: The match will be broadcast on Streaming internet at FC Cincinnati’s pub partners or on USL’s Youtube station.
TWITTER: Make sure to follow our @CincySoccerLive Twitter account for live twitter updates during Wedneday’s match.
FOOTGOLF: Be sure to check out our recent announcement of the Cincinnati Soccer Talk FootGolf Classic and sign your team up TODAY! Only 5 teams spots remain so lock in your place now.
Stay tuned to Cincinnati Soccer Talk for staff analysis on this Wednesday’s match.
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