Orlando City B at FC Cincinnati: Match Preview and How to Watch

It will be a big match for Orlando City B (2-3-3, 9 points) and FC Cincinnati (2-3-3, 9 points) tonight as the two clubs sit side-by-side in the United Soccer League Eastern Conference standings in seventh and eighth place. They are in similar form at the moment as well, having gone 1-1-3 in their last five matches.

OCB is returning from a 15-day break in the schedule as the young Lions recovered from a packed slate of matches in the opening month of the season. The club has been inconsistent in its performance thus far and a host of players have been featured in the squad — 29 to be exact.

FC Cincinnati will look to find the win column for the first time in four matches. They’ve struggled to find the early season form they had last season and appear to be hurting without the likes of Sean Okoli — who moved to New York City FC in the off-season — up top.

There was a major transaction this week from Cincinnati that could have an impact on the team sheet tonight. Forward Andy Craven was sent to OKC Energy in exchange for Danni König, who had a record-breaking season in 2015, with 21 goals. If he starts, it will be interesting to see what kind of production he will bring up top.

Richie Laryea will be a player to watch for OCB, as he had a fantastic outing in the team’s last away fixture, scoring a brace in the reserve side’s 2-0 victory over Bethlehem Steel FC.

OCB has taken four points from its four away matches this season (1-2-1). Cincinnati is undefeated at home (1-0-2).

Last season, Cincinnati won both meetings between the two sides. Cincy beat 10-man OCB, 3-1, in Melbourne in the first match-up on May 4, in a weather-delayed game. Bryan Rochez put OCB up early with a penalty, but goalkeeper Mark Ridgers was sent off for denial of a goal-scoring opportunity and the visitors roared back with strikes from Kenny Walker, Okoli, and Eric Stevenson. The second match was much more competitive, with the teams playing scoreless until the 81st minute, when Casey Townsend found the net to give Cincinnati all three points.

Most Recent Lineups

Orlando City B (April 27 vs. Saint Louis FC): Earl Edwards Jr.; Zach Ellis-Hayden, Seb Hines, Timbo, Scott Thomsen; Austin Martz, Jordan Schweitzer, Lewis Neal, Pierre Da Silva; Richie Laryea, Hadji Barry.

FC Cincinnati (May 6 at Richmond Kickers): Mitch Hildebrandt; Matt Bahner, Tyler Polak, Austin Berry, Harrison Delbridge; Aodhan Quinn, Daryl Fordyce, Corben Bone; Andrew Wiedeman, Cristian Martinez, Jimmy McLaughlin.

How to Watch

The 5 p.m. kickoff can be streamed from the official USL Youtube page. For rapid reaction and live updates.