FC Cincinnati hopes to regroup after Tuesday night’s draw in Harrisburg. The late game heroics of Jimmy McLaughlin helped rescue a point for FC Cincinnati which now see themselves in 7th place, 2 points back of New York with a win taking them up to 6th place. Saturday promises to be important for the late season playoff push, so make sure to check out our 5 Things to Know as well as the new March to Matchday Podcast!
Where: Cincinnati, OH – Nippert Stadium
When: Saturday, September 16th at 7:00 p.m. EST
Form: FC Cincinnati – 7th Place (9W-9L-9D, 36 pts.), New York Red Bulls II – 6th Place (11W-11L-5D, 338 pts.)
YOUR FAVORITE PEOPLE THIS WEEK – Ref Assignments:
REF: ROSENDO MENDOZA, AR1: Jeffrey Swartzel, AR2: Noah Matos, 4TH: Benjamin Miller
March to Matchday Podcast – Joe Goldstein of Raising Bulls:
Join host Bryan Weigel and guest Joe Goldstein of the Raising Bulls Podcast (@RaisingBullCast) for the newest March to Matchday preview podcast. 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!
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
Can We Finally Get a Point vs. the Baby Bulls?: In the 3 matches vs. New York, FC Cincinnati has not been able to notch a point in USL action. The Orange and Blue laid an egg at MSU Soccer Park on August 19th falling 4-0 to their hosts. Will Coach Koch’s side be able to notch at least 1 point as they try to make the 2017 USL Playoffs? Stats would say something has got to give and with 30,000 fans expected in Nippert, the should have some extra gas in the tank.
Home vs. Away: Like FC Cincinnati, the Baby Bulls have shown they are more of a home team than road warriors. New York’s two road wins have come at Richmond and in Toronto last weekend. A hostile crowd could have the opposite effect in sparking up the youngsters, but I would say they odds are against them. New York’s goal production as of late away from home has been decent. With 1.42 goals per game average on the road, they may be able to get enough to spoil the home crowd. However, FC Cincinnati has been able to post 1.80 goals per game in Nippert so New York will need a good night to take 3 vs. the Orange & Blue.
The Counter: As evidenced in Harrisburg on Tuesday night, if you can turn over FC Cincinnati and pounce down the field against our defense, you will get scoring chances. Missing Corben Bone Tuesday night was huge for Cincinnati and by a report from Enquirer beat-writer Pat Brennan, Bone did return to training on Thursday after the birth of his son on September 9th. One of the reasons FC Cincinnati has struggled with the counter is the ability of their midfielders to cover when Cincinnati wing backs push high into the attack. Bone’s return should help with that issue, but it is still a tall order when facing the speed and athleticism of the Baby Bulls.
Formation: Coach Alan Koch rolled out a 4-4-2 formation Tuesday in Harrisburg. Regular starters Austin Berry and Djiby Fall were absent from the starting XI and I would hope they play on Saturday. While perhaps not the best formation for our defensive lapses (Harrisburg could’ve had several more goals), we have seen our attack stifled without the 2nd striker up top. The 3-5-2 has been taken advantage of by both NYRBII & Louisville, so this is perhaps the tactical lineup we’ll see for the remainder of 2017. The return of Bone as said above should help. If Bahner returns as RB, I could also see that leading to more chances down that flank. Let’s see if Koch can discover some more magic with this change.
Last Time for Some of OUR Boys: Saturday evening could very well be the last time we see this group of players in-person for the 2017 season. This collection of guys includes a large holdover from the original 2016 roster, many of which have laid a solid foundation for this club’s future. Check out our story on why these group will forever be “OURS”. As fans, let’s give it our all on Saturday and send the team off on the right foot before their 4 match road trip.
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. 3:00 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 an 7:00 p.m. EST kickoff Saturday evening. The match will be broadcast live on Local 12. 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: 102.3 FM The Beat
@bryanweigel for @CincySoccerTalk
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