While many this week have been focused on the massive, looming Cup fixture awaiting us next week, there’s actually still a pretty enormous match in the league to attend to this weekend first. Yes, we’ll be heading downriver once again for our third and final regular season meeting with our biggest rivals.
What should you expect for this weekend’s derby match up? Read on to get the 4-1-1…
WHEN
Saturday, August 12th, at 7:30pm
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE
Traveling supporters are encouraged to sit in the away supporter section at Louisville Slugger Field, and can purchase tickets through the group portal above using group code “FCC2017”.
OPPOSITION
For the second time in just under a month, we’ll be facing our River Cities Cup rival, Louisville City FC.
VENUE
Louisville Slugger Field, Louisville, Kentucky
DIRECTIONS
FORM
FCC: Though our form has improved dramatically over the last two months, we’ve hit a little bump in the road in our most recent league matches. The Orange & Blue have posted a respectable 4-2-3 record since the start of July, though the last two of those have seen us only manage a single point. Luckily the boys are also coming off just their second full-week’s rest in that same time frame after being subjected to a handful of recent midweek league and cup matches. So we should be well-rested heading into such an intense rivalry match. Another positive to take into the game? FCC have seen an increase in the goals department recently as well, managing at least two goals per match in all but two league outings since the beginning of last month.
LCFC: While we’ve played in 9 competitive fixtures since the beginning of July – ten if you include our international friendly – Louisville have the luxury of only playing six. But, while Louisville started that run up in second place in the East, their recent form has seen them slip to fourth. They’ve gone 3-2-1 since the start of last month, with those two losses coming from ourselves and current top-of-the-East side, Charlotte Independence.
COACH
"We are excited to head back to Louisville for the next derby. We have enjoyed our battles with them this season and know that this next match will pose another tough challenge. It definitely helps the players having our travelling supporters behind us on the road and we look forward to leaving everything we have out on the pitch again."
- Head Coach Alan Koch
PLAYERS
FCC:Just as was the case last time we visited Slugger Field, all eyes will be keenly focused on Senegalese striker, Djiby. Fresh off a match suspension for the pair of yellows he saw against Rochester, Djiby remains one of the hottest strikers in the USL with 11 goals in 15 league appearances. He was on the scoresheet last month in Louisville, and also bagged the lone goal against them in the Open Cup fourth round match back in May.
LCFC: Though they’ve at times struggled to score this season, Louisville’s attack has come to life over the last two months, averaging 2.3 goals per match since the start of July. And the man currently leading their team in scoring this season is a name many here in Cincinnati will be familiar with: former FCC striker and Cincinnati-native, Luke Spencer (#12). He is currently tied with fellow striker Cameron Lancaster (#9) with five goals and an assist this campaign. That said, offense can come from anywhere in their squad, with 10 different players finding the back of the net so far.
HISTORY
Tomorrow’s River Cities Derby will be our seventh meeting with Louisville in just two years. And though we’ve yet to top them in the standings, the Orange & Blue do have Louisville’s number in their head-to-head match ups. Including the Open Cup, we’ve posted 3-1-2 record against Louisville and haven’t lost to them since the first time we met them back in the spring of 2016. We’re also undefeated against them at Slugger Field, having won this year’s match 3-2 and drew 1-1 in our lone appearance there last season.
WEATHER
Though rain is in the forecast today in Louisville, things should be all dry by the time we kickoff down there tomorrow night. The large contingent of travelling FCC fans can expect temperatures around 80° F and partly cloudy skies.
WATCH
This weekend’s match will be broadcast live on Star 64 (WSTR). Most local providers’ station information can be found below:
Over the Air: Channel 64
Cincinnati Bell Fioptics: Channel 11 (SD) or 511 (HD)
Spectrum/TWC (OH): Channel 11 (SD) or 1011 (HD)
Spectrum/TWC (KY): Channel 11 (SD) or 915 (HD)
DirecTV: Channel 64
DISH: Channel 8354
Not in the local viewing area? No problem! Every match in the USL is available to stream as well, and this match is available for free on YouTube.
LISTEN
All FC Cincinnati home matches are broadcast live on local radio on ESPN 1530, which can be streamed for free through their iHeartRadio feed.
SOCIAL
As is the case every match, you can follow along with the action on our Twitter feed at @fccincinnati. For live looks from before, during and after the match, follow us on Instagramand Snapchat by following 'fccincinnati', too. Halftime and full time updates will also be available on Facebook.
