PREVIEW | FC Cincinnati 2 host Inter Miami CF II to kickoff three-match home stand
FC Cincinnati 2 are set to play host to Inter Miami CF II at Scudamore Field at NKU Soccer Stadium this Sunday, July 16 at 6 p.m. ET. The Orange and Blue square off against the Herons for the second time this season following their first meeting at DRV PNK Stadium on June 8.
Sunday’s fixture will be the first of a three-match home stand for the Orange and Blue and can be streamed live on mlsnextpro.com.
FC CINCINNATI 2 vs INTER MIAMI CF II – SUNDAY, JULY 16, 2023 – 6 p.m. ET – SCUDAMORE FIELD AT NKU SOCCER STADIUM
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ALL-TIME SERIES
Sunday’s match will be the fifth all-time meeting between the two sides and second of three meetings in 2023. The Orange and Blue have yet to pick up a win against the Herons and are 0-3-1 against Inter Miami CF II.
THE LAST MEETING
The Herons took three points against the Orange and Blue in a 3-1 win on June 8 at DRV PNK Stadium. Lucas Meek and Ryder Mills traded first-half goals before Bryan Destin and Lawson Sunderland put the match away in the second half for the hosts.
SCOUTING INTER MIAMI CF II (4-11-2, 14 PTS., 13TH EASTERN CONFERENCE)
Inter Miami CF II enter the weekend bottom of the Eastern Conference standings following a 2-0 home loss to New England Revolution II. The Herons have picked up one point through their last four and have lost three straight matches. Miami are 1-7-0 away from home and have scored just four goals outside of DRV PNK Stadium.
Miami are looking to break out of an offensive slump that has seen the Herons score just one goal since June 11. Lawson Sunderland scored Miami’s last goal against Toronto FC II in a 1-1 draw and capped off a strong second half performance for the Heron’s against the Orange and Blue.
Lucas Meek leads Miami up front with four goals this season but has found the back of the net just once in his last nine matches. Miami’s attack has been inconsistent throughout the season and is tied for the second lowest goal total in all of MLS NEXT Pro. The Herons have been held goalless in nine of 17 matches this season.
The Herons have also faced their fair share of defensive struggles. Miami have allowed 36 goals this season and are the only team in MLS NEXT Pro who have yet to produce a shutout result. Miami holds a -18 goal differential and are allowing 2.3 goals a match on the road this season.
Dousing the flames – FC Cincinnati 2 earned their first shutout of the season last Sunday against Chicago Fire FC II in a 0-0 draw at SeatGeek Stadium. The Orange and Blue held Fire II scoreless for the first time since May 28.
Paul WALLters – Goalkeeper Paul Walters made eight saves against Chicago, a career high, in his 10th appearance of the season for FC Cincinnati 2 this season. Walters leads the team with 40 saves and holds a 62.5 save percentage.
Another MLS NEXT Pro debut – Juan Machado, who signed with the Orange and Blue on June 23, made his MLS NEXT Pro debut against Fire II. The 18-year-old Colombian defender played 18 minutes as a second half substitute in the shootout win.
Continue to Climb – With the shootout win against Fire II on July 9, the Orange and Blue moved onto 18 points this season, surpassing last season’s point total (17) with 12 matches to play. A win against Miami this Sunday could bring the Orange and Blue within three points of Atlanta United 2, who currently hold the final playoff spot.
