Richmond comes to Nippert Stadium in advance of FC Cincinnati’s Open Cup game on Wednesday at Miami FC. FC Cincinnati will want to avenge a disappointing draw down in Richmond earlier this season. Here are 5 Things to Know going into Sunday night’s match as well as the new March to Matchday Podcast.
Where: Cincinnati, OH – Nippert Stadium
When: Sunday, July 9th at 6:00 p.m. EST
Form: FC Cincinnati – 8th Place* (5W-6L-6D, 21 pts.), Richmond Kickers – 14th Place* ( 2W-8L-6D, 12 pts.) [*at time of post Friday]
YOUR FAVORITE PEOPLE THIS WEEK – Ref Assignments:
REF: JON FREEMON, AR1: Benjamin Hall-Volpenhein, AR2: James Duling, 4TH: Aaron Mitchell
March to Matchday Special: Tampa Halftime Show/Richmond Preview – Podcast
Join hosts Nick Seuberling and Bryan Weigel for the newest show in the CST 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 in audio or video form today!
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
Break the Deadlock: In the three matches against one another, FC Cincinnati and the Richmond Kickers have drawn 1-1 in each match. Most recently, Jimmy McLaughlin’s 70th-minute equalizer rescued FC Cincinnati in what was a disappointing draw on the road. The Kickers offense is 2nd worst in the entire USL with only 10 goals in 16 matches. They have allowed a respectable 18 goals againt, which is equal to Cincinnati’s total on the season. Odds would suggest that these teams can’t draw for a 4th consecutive time.
Three Points or Bust: To put it mildly, FC Cincinnati has not been very good on the road (1-5-2). To make up for these disappointing results, Coach Koch’s team must get 3 points in their remaining home matches if they hope to host a playoff match. Pile on the recent draw at Orlando and a loss in Tampa, the Orange & Blue NEED these three. Of course, the US Open Cup match on Wednesday is in clear view so this could be seen as a trap game. The leaders on the team need to make sure they are focused and take care of Richmond, or they will really be behind the figurative “8 ball” in league play.
Starting 24: A lot was discussed after Thursday night’s match including Coach Koch rotating his squad. 24, YES 24 players have started in league play at the halfway point for the Orange & Blue in 2017. 20 players started a match in the entire 2016 regular season for FCC with only 13 seeing over 10 or more starts. 11 players have seen at least 10 starts with Djiby and Danni sitting on 9 each for the season. I think you will see several guys down the roster get looks on Saturday as Koch will try and rest some players for Wednesday’s cup match. There is no doubt that the starting XI will solidify once FCC ends their cup play, but we must get through this rash of matches before that can really happen.
RELENTLESS: To make my stance clear, I believe that the tactics Koch is employing and his rotation is in the long-term best interest of the club. The issue I am seeing is uninspired play from several players. If you are one of those guys who is a fringe starter and you get a chance in the XI, you cannot afford to come out flat. Just like the fans, the squad must be relentless out there. For example, do what Corben Bone did in the first Saint Louis FC match. Bone clearly looked to be on the outs through preseason and early on, yet he put out max effort and took his spot back. I understand if the other team has more talent, but we can’t ease into games like we have been doing. Where is the fire from the Columbus and Chicago matches? All the more important Nippert rocks on Sunday.
Road Block: If you think FC Cincinnati has been poor on the road, just look at Richmond (0-4-3). Richmond’s identity under head coach Leigh Cowlishaw has been to make wins difficult for opposing teams. Lock down the defense and counter. We could very well see Richmond come into Nippert Sunday and pack it in on FC Cincinnati. The only saving grace for that potential strategy is that Richmond needs points desperately. With the loss of leading scorer Alhadji Kamara (4 of their 10 goals), I don’t really see a way Richmond can win. We must be RELENTLESS and put a whooping on the Kickers so we can turn our focus to Miami on Wednesday.
Stay tuned to Cincinnati Soccer Talk for more news and information leading up to the RICHMOND 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. 5 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 6 p.m. EST kickoff on Sunday night. Broadcasting partner Sinclair Broadcasting Group will now air all FC Cincinnati home & away matches. Sunday’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. 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.
RADIO: Simulcast of the TV stream on ESPN 1530AM
@bryanweigel for @CincySoccerTalk
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