FC Cincinnati 2 Face New York City FC II with Chance to Clinch Eastern Conference

September 27, 2024 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
FC Cincinnati 2 News Release

FC Cincinnati 2 travel to Queens, New York on Sunday, September 29 to face New York City FC II at Belson Stadium in their final road match of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro Regular Season. The match kicks off at 7 p.m. ET and will air live on MLSNEXTPro.com.

The Orange and Blue close out the regular season schedule with ‘Soccer Sunday’ at TQL Stadium on Sunday, October 6, against Orlando City B at 1 p.m. ET. The celebration kicks off at 11 a.m. ET with a number of family friendly activities and a meet and greet with FC Cincinnati players and Gary the Lion. Tickets start at just $5 and can be purchased here.

FC CINCINNATI 2 at NEW YORK CITY FC II – SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 – 7 P.M. ET – BELSON STADIUM

Keep up with all things FC Cincinnati 2 @FCCincinnati2 on X, Instagram and Facebook.

FC CINCINNATI 2 NOTES

PLAYING FOR THE TOP SPOT – FC Cincinnati 2 have the opportunity to secure the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference with a win against New York City. In addition to earning three points against NYC, Philadelphia Union II – who trail the Orange and Blue by two points entering the weekend – will need to drop at least one point against Atlanta United 2.

Should Philadelphia lose to Atlanta on Sunday, the Orange and Blue could secure the top spot with a shootout win.

A NEW YORK REUNION – FC Cincinnati 2 captain Nico Benalcazar will head back to face New York City for the first time since joining the Orange and Blue at the start of the 2024 season. Benalcazar faced his former club once this season at Scudamore Field in a 1-1 draw and converted on a penalty in the shootout. Benalcazar featured in 33 matches for NYC over two seasons where he scored three goals and added three assists.

SCORING FIRST – The Orange and Blue have scored first in 12 of 26 games this season. When finding the opening goal of the match, FC Cincinnati 2 are perfect, holding a 12-0-0 record. Seven different players have scored first for the Orange and Blue with Kenji Mboma Dem having done so four times.

GETTING IT DONE ON BOTH ENDS – Defender Brian Schaefer headed home his second goal of the season Sunday against Huntsville City FC and played 90 minutes in the Orange and Blue’s seventh shutout performance of the year. Schaefer has started in all seven of those matches and leads MLS NEXT Pro in clearances (83) and ranks third in minutes played (2,250) among MLSNP defenders.

SCOUTING NEW YORK CITY FC II (10-7-9, 42 PTS., 5TH IN…