FC Cincinnati Weekly Update: July 13, 2020

July 13, 2020 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Cincinnati News Release

CINCINNATI - FC Cincinnati are back to training ahead of their second match of the MLS is Back Tournament group stage, where they will play Atlanta United FC at 9 a.m. on Thursday, July 16. The match will be televised on ESPN and ESPN Deportes (Spanish) and will be streamed on the Watch ESPN app.

The Orange and Blue (0-3-0, 0 pts.) played their first match in Group E last Saturday, when they fell to Columbus Crew SC, 4-0. Saad Abdul-Salaam, Siem de Jong and Tom Pettersson made their FCC debuts in the contest.

Atlanta United FC (2-1-0, 6 pts.) also played their first match of the MLS is Back Tournament on Saturday, when they lost to the New York Red Bulls, 1-0. New York midfielder Florian Valot provided the game-winning goal in the fourth minute of the match.

FC Cincinnati will have a video conference call with head coach Jaap Stam and defender Andrew Gutman at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14 to preview the Orange and Blue's upcoming match.

Following FCC's match against Atlanta, they will play their third and final group-stage match against New York on Wednesday, July 22 at 8 p.m.

HOT TOPICS

Three FCC players make club debuts

Saad Abdul-Salaam, Siem de Jong and Tom Pettersson all made their FC Cincinnati debuts against Columbus Crew SC on Saturday, July 11 ... Abdul-Salaam was selected by FC Cincinnati in Stage 2 of the 2019 MLS Re-Entry Process on Dec. 3, 2019 ... FCC officially acquired de Jong on Feb. 25, 2020; however, the midfielder was unavailable for each of the Orange and Blue's first two regular season matches while he awaited his approved work visa ... Pettersson was acquired by FC Cincinnati on a free transfer on Dec. 19, 2019.

Cruz, Medunjanin reach MLS milestones

Allan Cruz and Haris Medunjanin each hit MLS milestones in FC Cincinnati's first group-stage match of the MLS is Back Tournament ... Cruz made his 25th career MLS regular-season appearance ... the midfielder made his first substitute appearance of the season when he replaced Adrien Regattin in the 63rd minute ... Medunjanin registered his 100th career MLS start ... The former Bosnia and Herzegovina international earned his 100th career MLS appearance at Atlanta on March 7.

Orange and Blue have multiple "firsts" in latest match

FC Cincinnati's Group E match against Columbus Crew SC was unique on a number of levels ... it was FC Cincinnati's first MLS match to be played at a neutral venue and the first time a #HellisReal Derby match was been contested outside the state of Ohio ... it was the first match in FC Cincinnati's MLS history where the club was able to make five substitutions ... additionally, following a 50-minute delay, it featured the latest first kick in club history, regardless of time zone.

Major League Soccer Stories from July 13, 2020

• Earthquakes Weekly Update: July 13, 2020 - San Jose Earthquakes
• Toronto FC Player Update - Toronto FC
• D.C. United Player Tests Negative for COVID-19 - D.C. United
• Matchday Guide: Inter Miami CF vs. Philadelphia Union - Inter Miami CF
• FC Dallas Returns to Texas - FC Dallas
• Toronto FC (2) - D.C. United (2) Post Match Summary - Toronto FC
• D.C. United Draw with Toronto in First Match of MLS Is Back Tournament - D.C. United
• Match Preview: Inter Miami CF to Face Philadelphia Union in Second MLS Is Back Tournament Match - Inter Miami CF
• By the Numbers: Game Two in Group A - Orlando City SC
• Reliving the Running of the Wall, Lions Face NYCFC on Tuesday - Orlando City SC
• FC Cincinnati Weekly Update: July 13, 2020 - FC Cincinnati
• Teal Bunbury Re-Signs with New England Revolution - New England Revolution
• City Takes on NYCFC in Second Match of MLS Is Back Tournament - Orlando City SC
• Orlando City Takes on NYCFC in Second Match of MLS Is Back Tournament - Orlando City SC
• Real Salt Lake Drowns Rapids in Tournament Opener - Real Salt Lake
• Colorado Rapids Drop to Real Salt Lake - Colorado Rapids
• MNUFC Come from Behind in Victory over SKC - Minnesota United FC
• Sporting Suffers Late Loss to Minnesota - Sporting Kansas City

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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