FC Cincinnati 2 are currently in their best form of the season. The club have won three shootouts and one in regulation in their last four matches. They will look to extended their unbeaten streak to five matches this weekend.
NYCFC II
NYCFC II will travel to Northern Kentucky in decent form as well. They currently hold the last playoff spot in the eastern conference in the MLS Next Pro standings. Overall the club has five wins, four draws, and six loses, with an additional two shootout wins. NYCFC II’s away record is a big thing that’s holding the club back. The club has only won one match away from home all season, as well as one shootout win.
Other than the poor away record, NYCFC also have the second worst defense in the league. Thirty-one goals conceded so far this season which is the second worst in the Eastern conference. The only club that has shipped more goals in Inter Miami CF II.
In their most recent match NYCFC II dropped a tough one. They went on the road to play Columbus Crew 2, who sit bottom of the Eastern Conference. NYCFC II ended up drawing the match 1-1 after a late equalizer in the 85th minute. This draw sent the match to penalties. Crew 2 had not won a penalty shootout all season, but got their first one against NYCFC II.
Despite being a little up and down with results this season NYCFC II has one of the best goal scores in all of MLS Pro Next. Seymour Reid, a 17-year-old striker who can play for the USMNT or the Jamaican national team, has a tie for third most goals in the whole league with nine. Reid also has one assists on the season. He’s an extremely dangerous player who will need to be kept in check.
FC Cincinnati 2
FCC 2 are on their best run of the season currently. After their 4-1 loss at the hands of Philadelphia Union II, FCC 2 have gone the last four matches without a loss with three draws against Toronto FC II, Chattanooga FC, and NYRB II. All of these draws wound up being penalty shootout wins as well. The team also beat New England Revolution II.
The season has been a bit rough for FCC 2, but maybe the tide is starting to turn a bit, and perhaps sneaking into the playoffs is something this group could realistically do. FCC 2 currently sits at two wins, five draws, and seven loses this season. However, they also has the most shootout wins in all of MLS Next Pro with five.
The team is coming off the most thrilling match of the season so far. Last weekend FCC 2 took on the other New York Red Bulls II. The match ended in an exciting 3-3 draw. FCC 2 ended up winning the shootout 5-3.
The Young Gary’s haven’t been great at home this season. With just one win, two draws and three loses there is a lot of room for improvement. This weekend might be a great opportunity to pick up three points. Unlike NYCFC II, FCC 2 does not have a prolific goal scorer in the squad. Their top goal scorers are Brian Schaefer, center-back, and Kenji Dem, striker. Both players have three goals this season. Schaefer is in good form with goals against Toronto, and New England. He isn’t the player to watch though. Amir Daley has just recently come back from an injury he suffered back in February. Before the injury, Daley was on the fringes on the FCC senior squad, and with some good performances going forward, could find himself back in that position again.
What to expect
This is a very interesting matchup for a few different reasons. NYCFC II gives up a ton of goals, and struggle away from home, and FCC 2 isn’t a high scoring team and aren’t great at home. Which team is going to overcome their faults and put in a better performance? The edge might go to FCC 2 in this one. They are the club in better form right now and will need to keep stacking points in order to push for a playoff spot that is currently occupied by NYCFC II.
Match Info
Where: Northern Kentucky University
When: Sunday, July 6 at 7:00pm
Watch: MLSNEXTPro.com
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