USL FC Cincinnati

FC Cincinnati Weekly Update

Published on May 7, 2018 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Cincinnati News Release


First-place Orange and Blue return to the road this weekend in Charlotte

CINCINNATI - Sitting atop the USL Eastern Conference standings, FC Cincinnati returns to the field this weekend when the team travels to face the Charlotte Independence at the Sportsplex at Matthews at 7:30 p.m., on Saturday, May 12. The game will be televised live on TV-Star 64 and streamed live on ESPN+.

After Saturday's 4-2 victory over Atlanta United 2, FC Cincinnati (5-1-2, 17 pts.) moved into first place in the Eastern Conference for the first time in club history.

Now, returning to the road - where FCC has played five of its first eight games with an 4-0-1 record - Cincinnati will bring a three-game winning streak, a five-game unbeaten run and a five-game road unbeaten run into Charlotte.

The Charlotte Independence (2-3-2, 8 pts.) come into the game winless in their last five games (0-3-2). The Independence won their first two games of the season, both at home - 4-1 over Ottawa and 2-0 over Toronto FC II - before their recent skid and comes into the match sitting 11th in the Eastern Conference standings.

This week's training schedule follows. Any media who plan to travel to Charlotte as asked to alert the FCC Communications staff no later than Wednesday, May 9, so game needs can be facilitated.

HOT TOPICS

Winning Ways

FCC comes into Saturday's game riding a three-game winning streak that has vaulted them to the top of the Eastern Conference standings ... further, the Orange and Blue bring a five-game undefeated run (3-0-2) into the weekend ... Cincinnati's last - and only - loss this season was a 1-0 defeat in the home opener to Louisville City FC on April 7.

Road Warriors

Cincinnati will take its undefeated 4-0-1 away record on the road to Charlotte this weekend ... after opening the season with back-to-back 1-0 victories at Charleston (March 17) and Indy (March 31), FCC has since claimed a 1-1 draw at Bethlehem (April 15), a 3-0 win at Ottawa (April 28) and 3-2 victory at Indy (May 2) ... on the season, Cincinnati has out-scored its hosts 9-3 on the road with three shutouts.

Offensive Fire Power

Cincinnati has scored 10 goals in the last three games to buoy the team's winning streak ... since netting three goals in a 3-0 win at Ottawa on April 28, FCC has struck for three goals in a 3-2 win at Indy Eleven on May 2 before posting a season-high four goals in a 4-2 win over Atlanta on Saturday ... Cincinnati's 15 goals this season rank second overall in USL, one goal back of New York (16) and tied with two other teams.

Ledesma Leading the Way

Emmanuel Ledesma came up big for FCC this weekend, factoring in three of Cincy's four goals against Atlanta ... after setting up Danni König's first-half strike, Ledesma netted a pair of goals ... on the season, Ledesma now has three goals to tie for the team lead and he paces all FCC players with three assists ... at the league level, he is tied for 15th in goals and is tied for third in assists.

Corben's Coming On

Corben Bone has had an offensive penchant of late ... in the last four games - during which Cincinnati has gone 3-0-1 - Bone has added three goals and two assists, representing all of his points on the season ... in 29 games in 2017, Bone netted two goals and collected three assists.

Walker's Wonder-Strike Gains Another Honor

Kenney Walker's wonder-strike from just inside midfield at Ottawa on Saturday, April 28, was announced as the USL Goal of the Month on Monday ... the goal - which came off a side volley from about 65 yards out - put FCC up 1-0 in the 68th minute en route to the 3-0 win ... the goal was Week 7's Goal of the Week and this is Walker's first-career Goal of the Month honor of his career.

McLaughlin's Touch Up for Goal of the Week

Jimmy McLaughlin's goal at Indy last Wednesday is one of five goals up for Week 8's USL Goal of the Week ... McLaughlin's first-time finish back across his body off the Corben Bone through ball leveled the game at 2-2 just before the half before Cincinnati used Bone's second-half strike to win the game ... fans can vote at uslsoccer.com for the USL Goal of the Week through noon ET on Thursday, May 10.

Next Home Game: Black Out Nippert

FCC returns home on Saturday, May 19, when the team hosts North Carolina FC at Nippert Stadium at 7:30 p.m. ... the game will be the Orange and Blue's "Black Out Game" ... while Cincinnati will don their tertiary black uniforms on the pitch, fans are encouraged to wear black to the game, as well.

Check out the FC Cincinnati Statistics

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 7, 2018


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