February 20, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – FC Cincinnati News Release
It was raining in Clearwater, Florida, Sunday morning. It has been raining a lot lately, sometimes resembling a torrential downpour, and at other times, just a solid stream of precipitation. However, it had rained for well over 48 hours when FC Cincinnati took the field at Walter Campbell Sports Park.
It was the first time The Orange and Blue had taken the field since their 5-2 friendly win versus New England Revolution, and it was formally the season’s first “match week.” So training took on extra meaning; it wasn’t just preseason anymore. It was match week.
As the rain continued to come down after The Orange and Blue took to the practice field, and the pitch got more and more waterlogged by the second, the mantra of how to handle the week’s match got clearer and clearer.
The conditions here aren’t great, but they probably won’t be great in Jamaica for one reason or another.
For the first time in club history, FC Cincinnati will be playing in continental competition, an undeniable accomplishment born out of the success of 2023 as a reward for that year’s performance. To play continental soccer means you are one of the best. The Concacaf Champions Cup, formerly known as the Concacaf Champions League, is the pinnacle of club competition in North America, Central America and the Caribbean.
In Europe, the UEFA Champions League is one of the most celebrated tournaments in sports year after year. This is our version. The scale may differ, but what’s on the line is very similar when comparing the UEFA and Concacaf editions of their premier tournament. A large cash purse to winning clubs, a trophy and entrance to the FIFA Club World Cup await the winners.
FC Cincinnati will open its account in the Champions Cup with an away fixture at Cavalier FC, 2022-23 winners of the Jamaican Premier League and runners-up in the 2023 Caribbean Cup. All matches in the Champions Cup will be played on aggregate scoring, meaning FCC and their opponent will play twice, once at TQL Stadium and once at their opponents’ home grounds. The combined scoring of the two matches will determine the round’s victor, with draws first being tie broken by away goals before moving to extra time, then penalty kicks.
As the higher seed in Round One, FCC has the privilege of hosting the second and deciding game. But in future rounds, The Orange and Blue may have to go on the road to secure their path forward. FCC’s first…
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