USL FC Cincinnati

FC Cincinnati Hosts Charlotte Independence in Home Opener

April 6, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Cincinnati News Release


FC Cincinnati takes on Queen City Cup rival, Charlotte Independence in the inaugural home opener this Saturday at 7:00 p.m.

The home opener marks the front end of the series and a friendly rivalry between the two cities of Cincinnati and Charlotte, both called the Queen City.

The challenge includes a wager between Mayor John Cranley (Cincinnati) and Mayor Jennifer Roberts (Charlotte) with the mayor of the losing city agreeing to serve at local homeless shelter wearing the opposing team's jersey.

DELBRIDGE VOTED TO USL TEAM OF THE WEEK; WIEDEMAN NAMED HONORABLE MENTION

Harrison Delbridge was selected to this week's USL Team of the Week.

Delbridge anchored an FCC defense that limited Bethlehem Steel FC's attack and kept them off the board until a 90th-minute goal by Eric Ayuk.

Andrew Wiedeman was voted an honorable mention after scoring the club's first-ever goal and assisting on the second to give FCC a two-goal lead.

Wiedeman, on the receiving end of a give-and-go with Kenney Walker, notched his first USL goal in the 24th minute.

He then assisted on a goal by Sean Okoli in the 34th minute.

The two join Jimmy McLaughlin as USL Team of the Week honorees.

McLaughlin was voted an honorable mention after the first week of play.

OPENING DAY NOTES

FC Cincinnati has sold over 10,000 tickets to Saturday's match against Charlotte Independence.

Tickets are still available and can be purchased online at fccincinnati.com/tickets.

Gates will open 90 minutes prior to kick-off for all FCC home matches.

Saturday's inaugural match will feature a fly-over by the Tri-State Warbird Museum.

Commemorative tickets will be given to fans in attendance.

YOUTH SOCCER COMMUNITY DAYS IN EFFECT

Youth Soccer Community Days is an initiative that allows youth (grade eight and below), who wear their youth team's soccer jersey to attend the Apr. 6 and Apr. 16 matches for $1.

The initiative was created by FC Cincinnati with the Oswald Company and AssureCare signing on as sponsors.

The initiative offers FC Cincinnati's young fans who have not yet had an opportunity to purchase tickets, to be a part of the first two home games of the club's inaugural season.

All new tickets purchased through the initiative will provide seating in the Youth Zone sections of 110 and 120 at Nippert Stadium.

TOYOTA COACH JOHN HARKES SHOW

The second episode of the Toyota Coach John Harkes Show will air live from the Moerlein Lager House this Thursday from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. on ESPN 1530 and iHeartRadio.

Joining host Tom Gelehrter and John Harkes will be FC Cincinnati President and General Manager, Jeff Berding.

Fans are invited to call in questions by dialing (513) 749-1530 or tweet their questions, using the hash tag #AskCoachHarkes.

Fans in attendance will have a chance to enter a raffle to win official prizes during the show's breaks.

FC CINCINNATI FEATURED ON FRIDAY NIGHT FUTBOL

FC Cincinnati defenders, Pat McMahon and Harrison Delbridge will be featured on Q102's newest segment called Friday Night Futbol, hosted by Molly Watson from 8:00 - 9:00 p.m. Friday night.

QUEEN CITY TOO

Charlotte is coached by Mike Jefferies, who was the 2014 Premier Development League Coach of the Year after leading the Des Moines Menace to a league title.

Charlotte Independence evened its record at 1-1 with a 2-1 win over Harrisburg last Saturday.

After trailing following a goal in the third minute by Harrisburg's Craig Foster, Charlotte leveled the score in the 22nd minute on a goal by Caleb Calvert, who headed in the tying goal.

With 10 minutes remaining in the half David Estrada put ahead Harrisburg for good.

The win was Charlotte's first over the City Islanders following a loss and a draw in 2015.

Apr. 9 | 7:00 PM

FC Cincinnati (1-1) vs. Charlotte Independence (1-1)

Nippert Stadium | Cincinnati, OH

TV: WSTR-TV

Radio: ESPN 1530 (iHeartRadio)

Video: USL YouTube

Play-by-play: Tom Gelehrter

Color: Kevin McCloskey

Sideline: Lindsay Patterson

Check out the FC Cincinnati Statistics



United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 6, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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