Second-place FC Cincinnati 2 (11-5-2) returns home to Scudamore Stadium after a 6-1 loss to rival Columbus to take on third-place Chicago Fire FC II (8-4-6) in a huge Sunday evening matchup.
SERIES HISTORY
The Orange and Blue have yet to beat Chicago, as the Fire have a (4-0-2) record against FCC 2, four wins and two draws.
These two sides met earlier this season, which ended in a 1-1 home draw for FCC 2.
CHICAGO FIRE FC II
The Men in Red currently sit on 35 points in the Eastern Conference, tied with the Orange and Blue, and are three points behind first-place Philadelphia Union II.
Chicago is coming off a 3-2 win over New England Revolution II, with goals coming from David Poreba, Lamonth Rochester and former Akron Zip striker Jason Shokalook.
The team has scored the second most goals in the East this year with 37, and is led by current MLS NEXT Pro Golden Boot leader Poreba, who has 12 goals on the season. His partner-in-crime this year has been fellow midfielder Harold Osorio, with nine goals and two assists on the year. The elite attacking duo has been one of the most dangerous in the league this season.
Like FCC 2, Chicago plays a similar formation of a 3-5-2 and thrives off transition moments. The Fire finds a lot of success down the flanks with both wing-backs Rochester and Justin Reynolds, and can also create chances through the middle of the pitch from Poreba and Omari Glasgow.
FC CINCINNATI 2
Last week was one to forget for the Orange and Blue. Their 6-1 loss to Columbus was only their fifth loss of the season, yet FCC 2 still has a chance with a win and a Philadelphia loss to move up to first place in the East.
Unless head coach Tyrone Marshall feels the need to make significant lineup changes after their worst performance of the season, there aren’t a lot of questions about the starting eleven. Midfielder Stiven Jimenez has missed the last two games after coming out at halftime against NYCFC II. Peter Mangione has filled the role next to Nico Benalcazar, which looked better against Toronto than it did against Columbus.
The problem is, with FC Cincinnati lacking center-back depth, FCC 2 defenders London Aghedo and Isaiah Foster have spent time with the first-team then quickly traveling back for the second-team games. There could be some fatigue for those players because of the travel.
A quick and fast start at home for the Orange and Blue is needed against Chicago. A game of this magnitude at this point in the season and an opportunity to do it in front of the home fans is a chance FCC 2 can not waste come Sunday.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
David Poreba – #48, Chicago Fire FC II
Poreba has arguably been the best attacking midfielder this season in MLS NEXT Pro, so his influence on the team in attack is second to none. When he gets on the boxscore for Chicago, the Fire don’t lose many games.
Christian Koffi – #50, Chicago Fire FC II
Despite only having one goal on the year, Koffi does the dirty work that goes unnoticed sometimes. The 23-year-old striker has pace to get behind the defense, but can also hold the ball up and provide outlets for his teammates. Koffi is certainly someone to highlight for Sunday.
Stefan Chirila – #77, FC Cincinnati 2
Chirila is coming off a goal in the MLS Next All-Star game, and he’s been one of the most important players for FCC 2 this season with five goals and three assists. A big performance is needed from him for Cincinnati to secure all three points against Chicago.
Nico Benalcazar – #41, FC Cincinnati 2
In a game where transition and counter-attacks are going to be crucial for both teams, the midfield battle may be one to watch, and Benalcazar has been a constant in the Orange and Blue’s midfield this season. He’ll be important in winning duels and connecting passe, to help FCC 2 control the game against Chicago.
WHEN AND WHERE TO WATCH
You can watch the game on MLSNEXTPro.com, kick-off is set for 6:00 p.m. EST.
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