April 21, 2016 USL Toronto FC II--Toronto FC II vs FC Cincinnati game preview (from fccincinnati.com)
Match Preview: 4/24 at Toronto FC II CINCINNATI, OHIO | April 21st, 2016 After two straight weeks of record setting nights at the friendly confines of Nippert Stadium, FC Cincinnati returns to the road this weekend with a trip North of the border to face Toronto FC II. Frequently referred to as “Tworonto” on social media, TFCII are the official reserves for big-spending MLS side Toronto FC. Sadly, the boys won’t be getting to play at TFC’s BMO Field, which is nearing completion on a $117 million renovation. Instead, they’ll be visiting the Toronto Soccer Centre’s also recently-renovated main stadium, located Northwest of Toronto in the suburb of Vaughn. What will we see from FC Cincinnati on a return to the road? And what exactly should we expect out of the opponents? Find out that and more in our latest match preview. WHEN IS IT HAPPENING: Sunday, April 24th, 2016, at 4:00pm. THE OPPOSITION: Like many of their MLS2 counterparts, Toronto FC II can sometimes be difficult to predict. There was lots of potential in the TFCII side that finished in 11th place in the USL Eastern Conference last season, but they were fairly young and inexperienced professionally. Not helping things was their best talent often being cherry picked away by the first team when they were short players from injuries/suspensions. So what’s in store this year for Tworonto? With a large core of last year’s team back, coach Jason Brent will look for improvement from last year’s results from a hopefully more matured squad. RECENT RESULTS: FCC: Though the crowds that attended them were both wildly successful, FC Cincinnati was slightly less so in the results column during the club’s first ever home stand. The Orange & Blue split their matches, winning first over Charlotte but dropping the second to Louisville. Their record on the road is identical at 1-1 and goal differential of zero. So Harkes and his men will likely be aiming to steady the ship and find some consistency on the road. Toronto: Sitting two places behind FCC in the USL Eastern Conference standings in 9th on 5 points, TFCII enter the match having played one time less and sporting a 1-0-2 record. They managed a 2-2 draw at home to Pittsburgh last time out, twice surrendering a lead along the way. Prior to that, they scored a 2-1 win over fellow Canadian MLS B-team, FC Montreal. And in their first match of the season, they got the season underway with a 2-2 road draw at East-topping New York Red Bulls II. So finding some consistency will likely be high on their priority list, too. HEAD-TO-HEAD: Like every other opponent so far this season, this will be the first time FC Cincinnati have ever faced Toronto FC II. The opponents will face off one additional time this season, when Toronto comes to Cincinnati on Saturday, June 18th, for a 7pm kick off. WHO TO WATCH: FCC: With the team shipping 3 goals last weekend to Louisville, attention to defense will certainly be near the top of the side’s priority list this time out. Watch for centerback pairing of Harrison Delbridge and Austin Berry — who also has notched two goals in his last two matches — to focus on tightening up a backline that’s conceded six times in four matches so far in 2016. Toronto: Last week saw Cincinnati native Nick Hagglund — drafted in the first round of the 2014 MLS Superdraft — loaned to TFCII. The former Xavier University standout ended up logging 90 minutes against Pittsburgh, and could likely feature again. If he’s still with the reserves, expect him to be amped up to face the team that’s since popped up in his old backyard. THE VENUE: Odds are, you’re going to need a passport if you plan on attending the match against TFCII in person, as the match is being played at the Ontario Soccer Centre in Vaughn, Ontario. FORECAST: Though the guys are heading to the so called “True North” for this weekend’s match, the temperatures should be fairly tolerable in Toronto. The high on Saturday is projected to be 50° F (10° C for the locals) with a low of just 46° (8° C). Dry weather awaits, with hopefully minimal wind and partly cloudy skies. HOW TO WATCH: Since this is away, there will be no local TV broadcast of the match. However, just as is the case for every USL match, the game will be livestreamed on the league YouTube channel. A direct link to the FC Cincinnati @ Toronto FC II match can be found here. Additionally, we’re expecting all 17 of our Pub Partners to stream the match live so you can enjoy the match with fellow FCC supporters. Our supporters groups will be convening convening at their normal spots — Die Innenstadt at Rhinehaus in OTR, and The Pride at the Brass Tap in Clifton. HOW TO LISTEN: Just like with TV, there will be no radio broadcasts of FC Cincinnati away matches in 2016. However, you could listen to the YouTube feed if you liked. SOCIAL: Whether you’re braving customs and heading to the match, watching with your supporters at at a pub, or are just looking to follow along online, be sure to follow us on Twitter at @fccincinnati for live match updates. Halftime and full time updates will also be available on our Facebook page. About the Author DJ Switzer FCC Director of Communications
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