The Orange and Blue will look to get their first-ever win in their short history against Huntsville City FC (2-8-3). FC Cincinnati 2 (8-4-1) returns home to Scudamore Stadium on the campus of Northern Kentucky University for the first match of a three-game homestand starting this Sunday.
SERIES HISTORY
This will be the third all-time meeting between these two sides. Huntsville City FC leads the series with a 1-0-1 record. Both games last season were a 2-2 draw at NKU and a 1-0 Huntsville win.
HUNTSVILLE CITY FC
2024 is Huntsville City FC’s second season in existence, the MLS Next Pro team for Nashville SC in the MLS. Last year, the team finished 9-12-7 in league play and finished in ninth place in the Eastern Conference. Not bad for a debut season, but also not great.
This year has been rough for Rocket City. as on April 10th they sacked inaugural head coach Jack Collinson and appointed former Scotland international Christophe Berra as interim head coach.
With only nine points on the season, Huntsville City has given up the most goals in MLS Next Pro with 29 and has only scored 18 on the year.
On a positive note, Jonathan Bolanos has been having a stellar season for Huntsville, with four goals and five assists on the season. He’s a very good player for this struggling Huntsville City team.
FC CINCINNATI 2
Coming off a 3-1 win against Carolina Core in North Carolina, FCC 2 sits in third place in the Eastern Conference with 25 points, just three points behind Chattanooga FC in second and four points of first place Philadelphia Union II.
Sunday is an excellent opportunity for the Orange and Blue to collect three points and tie Chattanooga for second place.
With seven wins in their last eight matches, FCC 2 has been in great form over the past couple of months with the only loss coming against Inter Miami II.
While the midfield and front line should be mostly the same for head coach Tyrone Marshall, it’ll be interesting to see who the back three will be on Sunday, due to London Aghedo, Brian Schaefer, or Gael Gilbert maybe going with the first team for the weekend. Regardless, FCC 2 has built a strong foundation in defense and has players who can step up and fill any empty voids.
The momentum is all in favor of Cincinnati, but a good collective performance is still needed.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jonathan Bolanos – #17, Huntsville City FC
One of the few dynamic attackers who can score and assist on this squad, Bolanos has started all but one game this season for Huntsville and has nine goal contributors, which leads the team.
Adem Sipic – #77, Huntsville City FC
A more direct forward with solid hold-up play, the 18-year-old has three goals on the season and is starting to earn more starts for Huntsville. Not a player FCC 2 should overlook.
Kenji Mboma Dem – #35, FC Cincinnati 2
Mboma Dem has been electric in his last couple of appearances for FCC 2. The former Dayton Flyer has shown the ability to create good scoring chances and also be dangerous inside the box.
Paul Walters – #25, FC Cincinnati 2
Walters has been very good since returning from his loan at Hartford Athletic. FCC has a 3-1-0 record with him in goal, with a possibility of rotation at the three centrebacks spot, Walters’ communication and shot-stopping ability will be huge come Sunday.
WHEN AND WHERE TO WATCH
You can watch the match on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, kick-off is set for 7:00 p.m. EST.
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