FC Cincinnati hopes to keep the momentum going after an exciting 4-2 victory last Saturday over New York Red Bulls II. The Orange & Blue had an effective offense that produced an exciting 4 goal game. Coincidentally, the last four-goal game for FCC come against this week’s opponent Saint Louis at the 2017 home opener. This Saturday Cincinnati hopes to have another offensive outburst in a game that has playoff implications. Make sure to check out our 5 Things to Know as well as the new March to Matchday Podcast!
Where: Fenton, MO – Toyota Stadium
When: Saturday, September 16th at 8:30 p.m. EST
Form: FC Cincinnati – 6th Place (10W-9L-9D, 39 pts.), Saint Louis FC – 11th Place (9W-12L-7D, 34 pts.)
YOUR FAVORITE PEOPLE THIS WEEK – Ref Assignments:
REF: ISMIR PEKMIC, AR1: Matt Geringer, AR2: Tim Wagner, 4TH: Valeria Pol Waggener
March to Matchday #29 – Guest Phill Grooms of STL Soccer Report:
Join host Bryan Weigel and guest Phill Grooms of the ECC Podcast and STL Soccer Report (@STLSoccerReport) 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
Road Form: With only four games left and all of them away from Nippert, the boys in Blurange need to find a way to improve their game when away from home. Currently, their away form is pretty bad (2W-7L-3D), scoring 0.67 Goals/Gm away while scoring 1.94 Goals/Gm at Nippert. FCC’s defense doesn’t provide much confidence either. Koch’s side concedes 1.83 Goals/Gm Away while only allowing 1.06 at home. This culminates with FCC averaging 0.75 pts/Gm away in contrast to the 1.88 pts/Gm at the friendly confines of Nippert. With a home playoff game most likely not in the cards, now would be a great time to start learning how to win on the road.
Credit: Alex Vehr – Cincy Sports Photos
Razor Thin: The difference between making and missing the playoff is slim for teams slotted between 6th and 12th (Beth, Pitt, StL, Ottawa, Orlando). Two of the teams, Ottawa and Bethlehem, below FCC, have games in hand, allowing them to make up ground quickly. Cincinnati will need to keep the pedal to the metal and acquire as many points as possible. I think 6 more points would almost assure a postseason spot, but nothing is acertain and crazier things have happened.
Berry picking: With the recent injury to Austin Berry, will he be able to feature Saturday? If not, who fills out the backline? Delbridge/Hoyte/De Wit/Polak/Nicholson/Bahner/Josu. As stated above we have had our struggles on the road, not just offensively but defensively as well. I think we go with four in the back if Berry is out, De Wit can play center back, in a three-man set, but seems struggle in the air from time to time (see USOC NYRB game). Four backs solidify us defensively and can free up Walker and Bone in the center part of the field, which hopefully can create a better linking play.
Slow starts: Do not come out flat FCC, because no matter what tactic we have implemented, it will go out the window quickly without energy. Saint Louis FC has found some offense as of late and the fact they need the victory more than FCC they will most likely be the aggressor. If they are aggressive, it will make them susceptible to a counter type play, which matches FCC style well. FCC will need to withstand initial pressure and counter fast and effectively, like last week against New York (FCC had four goals on four shots on goal).
Saint Louis: As bad as Saint Louis has been they are still talented enough to stick around and have a shot at the playoffs. Saint Louis’ Seth Rudolph has been who their offense has been going through lately, but Christian Volesky is their go-to guy. Much like FCC’s season, STLFC has been up and down as well, and one never knows what team will show up. Some weeks Saint Louis inflicts pain on others and other weeks they inflict pain on themselves.
Viewing Parties
The supporters groups will be taking up residence at their favorite away match viewing locations. See the list below for more information.
Die Innenstadt: Rhinehaus OTR – 19 E 12th St, Cincinnati 45202
The Pride: Ladder 19 – 2701 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45219
Queen City Firm: J Taps Sports Bar & Grill – 6441 Glenway Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45211
The Bailey Bastards: Bucketheads – 6507 Harrison Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45247
Viewing
TV: This contest is set for an 8:30 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 CW. The match will also be broadcast at FC Cincinnati’s pub partners or by Streaming internet on USL’s Youtube station.
RADIO: None
@khoetker for @CincySoccerTalk
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