USL FC Cincinnati

FC Cincinnati Goes Orange against Pittsburgh, Looks to Pack Nippert Stadium

Published on May 12, 2016 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Cincinnati News Release


FC Cincinnati will host Pittsburgh Riverhounds this Saturday in a match that has been tabbed an "Orange Out".

Partnering with FCC this week is the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society.

Serving as honorary captains prior to the game are Giovani Bernard, Vontaze Burfict, Jeremy Hill, Kevin Huber, Adam Jones, Dre Kirkpatrick and Domata Peko, who will be introduced prior to the start of the game.

LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP CONFIRMED

FC Cincinnati will play Indy Eleven NPSL in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup.

FCC will host the match, scheduled for Wednesday, May 18 at 7:00 p.m. at Nippert Stadium but the contest will not be broadcast.

The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is a single-elimination tournament open to all soccer teams of any division.

The first round of the tournament, which opened May 11, begins with a 46-team field made up of 14 Open Division local qualifiers, 14 National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) teams and 18 Premier Development League (PDL) sides.

Should FCC advance, the Orange and Blue will continue Cup action, June 1 with the opponent, location and time to be determined.

For more information on the U.S. Open Cup, visit www.ussoccer.com/lamar-hunt-us-open-cup

FINISHING STRONG

FC Cincinnati has been a second-half team, scoring nine goals in the final stanza and four in the first.

The Orange and Blue are one second-half tally away from tying LA Galaxy II and Vancourver Whitecaps FC 2 who have 10 goals each after the break.

FCC is currently third in the USL with 13 goals scored, sharing the spot with Queen City Cup rival, Charlotte Independence.

SPREADING THE LOVE

Nine FCC players have recorded a goal this year with Okoli leading the group with three.

Andrew Wiedeman and Austin Berry are second with two goals apiece.

Orchestrating the offense has been Corben Bone, who tops the team with three assists.

Bone sits in a seven-way tie for first in the USL in assists.

WALKER VOTED TO USL TEAM OF THE WEEK

Kenney Walker was named to the United Soccer League Team of the Week after recording a booming equalizer against Orlando City B.

The midfielder, put away his first goal from outside of the box after receiving a short pass from Corben Bone.

Walker's first goal of the season came in the 57th minute and sparked a three-goal, second-half out-put for FCC.

Walker has started in all eight games and has logged a goal and an assist.

OKOLI'S GOAL HIGHLIGHTS APRIL

Sean Okoli's scissor kick goal, recorded against Charlotte Independence, earned 53 percent of the fan votes to be tabbed April's Goal of the Month.

Okoli's effort will now be in consideration for Goal of the Year, which will also be decided by fan voting at the conclusion of the season.

LEE MAKES DEBUT

Evan Lee made his FCC debut against Harrisburg City last week.

Lee came off the bench in the second half to spell Harrison Delbridge and played 43 minutes.

Lee, a Toledo, Ohio native, played at Ohio Wesleyan from 2012-16.

CUMMINGS, LUKE MAKE FIRST STARTS

Omar Cummings, who has already impacted the FCC offense since recovering from an injury, was given his first start of the Harrisburgh City Islanders.

Cummings took one shot in 65 minutes of action.

Derek Luke was also penciled into the starting lineup against Harrisburg and played all 90 minutes.

The defender has seen action in seven games and recorded his first career assist against Toronto FC II earlier this year.

HILDEBRANDT AMONG USL LEADERS

Mitch Hildebrandt is one of four USL goalkeepers who have played all 720 minutes.

Hildebrandt, who played at Minnesota United FC for three seasons, is sixth in the league with 23 saves.

He holds a 1.25 goals-against average through eight games played.

PITTSBURGH COMES TO TOWN

The Riverhounds come into Cincinnati looking for their first win.

The team has logged ties against Toronto FC II, conference-leader Louisville City FC and Charleston Battery to earn three points.

Corey Hertzog and Conor Branson each have a goal apiece for Pittsburgh.

Richard Gilstrap has started in goal in all six games and made 22 saves while allowing 11 goals.

Check out the FC Cincinnati Statistics



United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 12, 2016


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