USL FC Cincinnati

U.S. Open Cup Third Round Game Preview: FC Cincinnati at Pittsburgh Riverhounds Sc

Published on May 22, 2018 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Cincinnati News Release


FC Cincinnati at Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

Wednesday, May 23, 2018 | 7 p.m.

Highmark Stadium | Pittsburgh, Pa.

Stream: ussoccer.com

USL RECORDS & STANDINGS:

FC Cincinnati: 6-2-2, 20 pts. | First in East

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: 4-0-5, 17 pts. | Fourth in East

Game Notes: PDF Link

USOC PLAY RETURNS WEDNESDAY

Cincinnati continues play in the oldest ongoing tournament in the U.S. - the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup - on Wednesday night

FCC is 6-2-1 all-time in the U.S. Open Cup, including a 4-1-1 record and a run to the semifinals in 2017 and a 1-1-0 mark in the team's inaugural season of 2016

On the road, FCC is 1-1 in road games in U.S. Open Cup play, including a win last year in the quarterfinals at Miami FC

SECOND-ROUND RECAP

Cincinnati began play in the Open Cup last Wednesday night, earning a 4-1 win over NPSL's Detroit City FC in extra time ... the Orange & Blue potted three goals in the added 30 minutes following a 1-1 score line after 90 minutes

Emery Welshman factored in all four goals, netting a hat trick and assisting on Corben Bone's game-winning goal in the 94th minute

FCC is now 6-2-1 all-time in the U.S. Open Cup ... in 2017, Cincinnati went 4-1-1 with a run the semifinals after posting a 1-1-0 mark in the team's inaugural season of 2016 ... the team is 1-0 this season

FAMILIAR "UNFAMILIAR" USOC OPPONENT

FC Cincinnati will face a fellow USL team in Open Cup play for just the second time in Cup play

The last time FCC met a USL team in the U.S. Open Cup, the Orange & Blue came away with a 1-0 win over Louisville City FC in the third round in 2017 en route to a semifinal appearance

That game was played at Nippert Stadium ... Cincinnati has never faced a league opponent on the road in the Open Cup

AGAINST USOC FIELDS

FCC has played clubs from almost every U.S. league in the Open Cup ... Cincinnati is 1-1-1 - including a victory in penalties - against MLS teams

They are 1-0 against USL opponents, 1-1 against NASL clubs and 3-0 versus NPSL entrants

At home in Cincinnati, FCC is 5-1-1 against USOC competition, and 1-1 in road games.

MISCELLANEOUS USOC NOTES

In U.S. Open Cup Play, FCC is 1-1 on the road ... in 2016, fell to the NASL's Tampa Bay Rowdies, 1-0, in St. Petersburg in the third round ... in 2017, FCC earned a 1-0 win at the NASL's Miami FC in the quarterfinals

Six different FC Cincinnati players have scored at least one Open Cup goal in club history ... Djiby, who netted four in 2017, is the club's career USOC goal leader

The three active players with Open Cup goal are Jimmy McLaughlin (game-winner in 2016 vs. NPSL's Indy 11 of the NPSL), Corben Bone (semifinal goal vs NYRB in 2017 and second-round game-winner vs. Detroit City in 2018) and Emery Welshman (hat trick with Detroit City in 2018 second round)

LATER KICKOFFS NOW THE NORM FOR USL GAMES

Fans are reminded that Saturday's game is a 7:30 p.m. kickoff

With the exception of two Sunday games later in the season, all of FCC's remaining home games will kick off at 7:30 p.m.

HOMETOWN HEROES RECOGNIZED SATURDAY

At Saturday's USL game against arch rival Louisville City FC, the Orange & Blue will recognize the local-area hometown heroes, including first responders, military and hospital workers

A limited number of special red, white and blue scarves and hats are also for sale at the FC Cincinnati store (43 E. 4th St.) or online at shopfccincinnati.com, with proceeds going to the FC Cincinnati Community Fund for future work with various community organizations

ALONE ATOP THE STANDINGS

Following last Saturday's 4-1 win over North Carolina, FC Cincinnati re-claimed sole possession of first place in the USL Eastern Conference standings with 20 points through 10 games (6-2-2)

FCC is ahead of second-place - and Saturday's opponent - Louisville by a single point as they sit just behind Cincy with 19 points (6-2-1) in nine games

Charleston (5-2-3, 18 pts.) is third, while Pittsburgh (4-0-5, 17 pts.) is fourth

Four teams sit tied for fifth with 14 points, including Bethlehem, Charlotte, Indy and New York

DUO HONORED BY USL

After standout performances against North Carolina FC last Saturday, a pair of FCC players were recognized by USL media on Tuesday

Emmanuel Ledesma was voted the league's Player of the Week and gained his third appearance on the USL Team of the Week after factoring in all four goals in the 4-1 win: netting a penalty and assisting on the other three goals

Additionally, Nazmi Albadawi was voted to the Team of the Week - his first appearance on the USL's weekly honor roll - after his brace against NCFC, his former club

LASSO BACK FROM UNWANTED BREAK ON SATURDAY

Last Saturday when the Orange & Blue hosted North Carolina FC, center back Forrest Lasso did not suit up for the first time this season

Coming into last weekend, Lasso was the only FCC player who had played every minute of the campaign - 810 minutes through nine USL games plus 120 minutes last Wednesday's U.S. Open Cup Second-Round match against Detroit City FC

However, against the Charlotte Independence on May 12, Lasso picked up his fifth yellow card of the season and was required to miss last Saturday's game against North Carolina

He is eligible to return field this weekend against Louisville

BEST START IN CLUB HISTORY MATCHED

With a 6-2-2 record through nine games, FC Cincinnati has matched its best USL start in club history

In 2016, the Orange and Blue also went 6-2-2 to start the season before earning a draw in their 11th game of the season

In 2016, after the team's second loss of the season on April16, FCC went on to post a club-record 10-game unbeaten run, going 6-0-4 from April 24 through July 6 and pushing the overall record to 9-2-4 before the third loss of the year.

Check out the FC Cincinnati Statistics

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