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USL FC Cincinnati

USL East's top two teams battle at Nippert on Saturday night

May 24, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
FC Cincinnati News Release


FC Cincinnati vs. Louisville City FC

Saturday, May 26, 2018 | 7:30 p.m.

Nippert Stadium | Cincinnati, Ohio

TV: WSTR TV Star-64

Stream: ESPN+

Talent: Tommy Gelherter (play-by-play), Kevin McClosky (analyst), Lindsay Patterson (sideline)

USL RECORDS & STANDINGS:

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

Louisville City FC: 6-2-1, 19 pts. | Second in East

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 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

... AND NAZ'S FIRST VOTED WEEK'S BEST

In addition to his place on the USL Team of the Week, Nazmi Albadawi earned another honor from USL this week

Thursday, USL announced that Albadawi's first goal goal against North Carolina last Saturday won the league's Goal of the Week award

His right-footed curling strike drew 45 percent of the vote, beating out Atlanta's Laurent Kissiedou, who picked up 40 percent of the votes

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 after he played 90 minutes on Wednesday in FCC's U.S. Open Cup third-round match

BEST START IN CLUB HISTORY MATCHED

With a 6-2-2 record through 10 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.

U.S. OPEN CUP RUN, 2018 EDITION

FC Cincinnati has advanced to the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup for the second straight year

The team's run in the 2018 edition of the cup began with a 4-1 after extra time win over NPSL's Detroit City FC on May 16 at Cincinnati's Gettler Stadium ... Emery Welshman factored in all four goals, netting a hat trick and setting up Corben Bone's game-winning goal in the extra session

On May 23, Cincinnati traveled to USL foe Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC - who were previously undefeated at Highmark Stadium and had yet to allow a goal at home - and came away with a 3-1 win to advance to the Fourth Round

On June 6, FCC will host MLS' Minnesota United FC at Nippert Stadium ... tickets are now on sale for Season Ticket Members, who have an exclusive presale through noon on May 30 when tickets are opened up to the general public.

Check out the FC Cincinnati Statistics



United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 24, 2018


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