Preview

FCC 2 return on the road to face Toronto FC II

Amir Daley is pictured during a match between FC Cincinnati 2 and Inter Miami CF II on May 26, 2024. Photo by Aiden Holt.

After a 1-1 draw at home against NYCFC II, FC Cincinnati 2 (10-4-2) will travel to Canada on Sunday to take on Toronto FC II (5-7-3) at York Lions Stadium, looking to get back into the win column. 

SERIES HISTORY

Toronto FC II leads the all-time series with a (4-0-2) record.

The Orange and Blue fell to Toronto earlier this season, suffering a 2-1 loss on April 14 to the Young Reds.

TORONTO FC II

The Young Reds currently sit in 11th place in the Eastern Conference on 18 points. Toronto has been in a slump, having won only two of their last eight matches, coming off a 2-0 loss on the road to Chicago Fire FC II.

TFC II’s inability to consistently put the ball in the back of the net has been a glaring weakness this season. They have scored the second-fewest goals in the East with 18, and have been shut out six times this season. 

Former Western Michigan Bronco Charlie Sharp leads the team in goals with four in just eight appearances, but he hasn’t seen action for TFC since June 12, with his absence possibly one of the main reasons for their lack of goals.

A total of 27 different players have seen action for the Young Reds this season. Only midfielder Markus Cimermancic has played all 15 games for TFC II. There’s been a lot of rotation and tinkering from head coach Gianni Cimini to find the right group of players.

With that all being said, TFC II already beat FCC 2 this season at home, and all it takes is one game to turn luck around.

FC CINCINNATI 2

Despite a draw last match, FCC 2 is undefeated in its previous five games and still sits second in the East on 32 points, six behind Philadelphia.

The mindset of the team remains the same, earn three points and put in a team performance. Luckily for Cincinnati, with Chirila getting back to full fitness, the team now has a plethora of options up top, with in-form Kenji Mboma Dem leading the charge. 

FCC 2 will be without one of its starting center-backs on Sunday as London Aghedo picked up a red card towards the end of the match against NYCFC II. Possibly look for Isaiah Foster to drop back into the back three from his wing-back position, or it may be an opportunity for Juan Machado to earn his second start for Cincinnati.

Yair Ramos Perez was very effective in the midfield for the Orange and Blue last match coming on for Steven Jimenez and his role off the bench could help FCC 2’s control possession later on in the match. It might even come from the jump, being rewarded with a chance to showcase himself next to either Nico Benalcazar or Jimenez.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Jesus Batiz – #73, Toronto FC II

Batiz leads the team in goal contributions with five, recording three goals and two assists. With a lack of production up top, Batiz will be extremely important to the Young Reds on Sunday if they are to come away with a win.

Abe Rodriguez – #50, Toronto FC II

Rodriguez was awarded his second start of the season last match against Chicago, taking the place of struggling goalkeeper Adisa De Rosario who has played 13 games this season. Rodriguez will need to have a big performance against FCC 2,in hopes of shutting down the Orange and Blue’s electrifying attack.

Peter Mangione – #49, FC Cincinnati 2

The former Penn State striker has done everything asked of him in his first professional season for FCC 2, and his ability to play a variety of different positions has been key for The Orange and Blue, Mangione can be an ‘X-factor’ for the team off the bench or head coach Tyrone Marshall might elect to give him the start in an attacking-midfield role with Mboma Dem up top.

Amir Daley – #42, FC Cincinnati 2

Daley now has four goals and five assists on the season, with his speed on the flanks something that FCC 2 has not had in prior seasons, and his ability to cause Toronto’s fullbacks havoc will be key on Sunday in Cincinnati getting a road result.

WHEN AND WHERE TO WATCH

Kick-off for the game is set for Sunday at 3:00 p.m, you can stream the match on MLSNEXTPro.com.

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