FTI Sports FC Cincinnati match primer: Charlotte Independence

by Chris Asbrock

FC Cincinnati vs Charlotte Independence
7:00 pm EST
Nippert Stadium

Charlotte (1-1-0, 3 points)
FC Cincinnati (1-1-0, 3 points)

The wait is over for FC Cincinnati fans and players. The boys in orange and blue will finally take the field at Nippert Stadium for a USL regular season match. There has been plenty of buzz throughout the city for the home debut of FCC. News from the club indicates that over 11,000 tickets have been sold for this match, making it one of the largest crowds in the history of the USL. So far through the first two matches, coach John Harkes and the club have experienced the ultimate highs and lows of sports. As we mentioned last week, FCC dropped their inaugural match 1-0, to the Charleston Battery, after giving up a stoppage time goal.

Last week was a week of firsts, as FC Cincinnati rebounded nicely with a 2-1 road win against the Bethlehem Steel. FC Cincinnati jumped on Bethlehem early taking the lead on a goal by Andrew Wiedeman, the first in franchise history. Sean Okoli tallied the second goal of the game for FC Cincinnati. They carried the 2-0 lead late into the game before conceding another stoppage time goal. The win was the first three points in franchise history and another solid rock in the foundation of the club.

You can watch the full Bethlehem Steel v FC Cincinnati match below:

With the first win out of the way, FC Cincinnati can now focus on solely claiming the Queen City nickname. Coming into Nippert Stadium on Saturday is another team from the Queen City, the Charlotte Independence. As you may know, the City of Charlotte is also nicknamed “The Queen City.” Not only is this a battle of teams from the Queen City, this is a battle of teams that are sitting in the middle of the Eastern Conference standings. Both clubs have sustained the exact same results (1-0 defeat and 2-1 victory) and are currently sitting on three points.

The Independence were founded in 2014 and did not taste playoff soccer last season, after finishing seventh in the East. Charlotte is looking for a more successful second season in the USL and a win over FCC will put them in a great spot early in this season. An affiliate of the MLS side Colorado Rapids, Charlotte currently has two players on the roster who are on loan from the Rapids. One of those players is former Cincinnati Bearcat, Emmanuel Appiah. Appiah played for the Bearcats from 2011-2015, appearing in 65 games and bagging seven goals.

For more information, you can check out the official preview from FC Cincinnati.

If you are heading down to Nippert Stadium and are not sure what to expect, FCC Director of Communications, DJ Switzer did a great job of providing all the information you need to be prepared. You can check out what to expect for matchday, here.