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Cincinnati ‘Buzzing’ For Open Cup Clash

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 06/13/17, 2:01PM EDT

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First meeting between FCC, Crew SC gets Open Cup spotlight


Photo courtesy Erik Schelkun / FC Cincinnati

CINCINNATI – Already in its short history, FC Cincinnati has hosted some big games at Nippert Stadium, but the visit of Columbus Crew SC on Wednesday night for the Fourth Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup has the promise of being a major night in the club’s history.

The first meeting of any kind between the two Ohio clubs is set for a 7 p.m. ET kickoff tonight, with more than 21,000 fans already sold for the contest as of Tuesday night according to the club. It also marks FCC’s first chance to square off with an MLS opposition of any kind in the historic tournament.

“It is interesting, of course, because we play in different leagues and we have never played each other,” FC Cincinnati midfielder Jimmy McLaughlin told the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Patrick Brennan. “But I think with us trying to be an MLS team, I think we've been itching to play the other MLS team in the state and our closest rival we could have... We're all buzzing about the match.”


Photo courtesy Erik Schelkun / FC Cincinnati

There could be room for optimism for FCC as it faces Crew SC for the first time, too. Columbus has lost three of its last four games, and is only 2-6-0 away from Mapfre Stadium this season. Cincinnati, on the other hand, has only lost once on home turf this season, and has earned 1-0 victories at Nippert Stadium in each of the previous two rounds behind goals from Djiby Fall.

That said, FCC Head Coach Alan Koch is realistic about what his side will face on Wednesday night.

“I think we’re going to see a very, very good MLS team tomorrow," Koch told Brennan. "Columbus, on the day, are arguably one of the best teams in the league. They obviously play a game in the league Saturday [against Atlanta United] just like we do, so I anticipate [Crew SC Head Coach] Gregg [Berhalter] will make a few changes to the group, but I anticipate he’s going to bring a lot of his big boys.

“He knows it’s obviously an important game for their club. It’s an important game for our club, too, so we’re under no illusions of how difficult a game it’s going to be.”


Photo courtesy FC Cincinnati

The prospect of going to face a potential in-state rival is also appealing for Crew SC’s squad, with the likes of former Sacramento Republic FC loanee Adam Jahn among those who are looking forward to their opportunity to compete in a major first for both clubs.

“We want to win it. I think it’s a big opportunity for guys who haven’t been playing as much,” Jahn told the Columbus Dispatch’s Andrew Erickson. “I’ve heard it’s a great atmosphere with a lot of people [in Cincinnati], so it’s going to be an amazing game. If you can’t get up for a game like that, what are you doing playing soccer?”

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