WHO: FC Cincinnati

WHAT: A fourth round US Open Cup match

WHEN: Wednesday, June 12, 2019, 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Nippert Stadium, 2700 Bearcat Way, Cincinnati, OH 45221

WATCH: Only on ESPN+, though if you’re really cool you’ll be at the game. Tickets are still very much available.

WHO, AGAIN? Them. You know. While there are plenty of good memories of times Louisville City played and beat FCC when they were still in USL, the last match we played was a loss with a goal scored by a puddle which was also cut short and played over two days. It was weird and, like Skyline Chili, left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth.

While Louisville City moved past that loss to win the USL Cup for the second consecutive time, Cincinnati lost to New York Red Bulls II in the playoffs, then packed up their ball and went to play in MLS with a rebrand that is somehow worse than their old brand. Any Cincy fan will tell you they’ve never looked back, but given their awful form in their new league, this straw Cincy fan that I’ve invented is probably lying just a little.

The new-look Knifey Soccer Lions have scored 14 goals in 16 games and surrendered 33. They’ve won just three times. They gave up five goals in their last match, two of which they scored on themselves. They’ve already fired their manager, and their short list of “whom might we hire” reads almost the same as Ed Woodward’s “whom have I recently fired” list, which just underscores how delusional it is.

This is a bad MLS team. Most of the guys on the roster have never played against, and some might not have even heard of, Louisville City. The rivalry probably isn’t very real to them. But you can bet your ass about 15 or so people in the visitor’s locker room tonight remember it quite vividly and are ready to play.

This’ll be a slightly different look from City, as is usual in the Open Cup. I’m sure John Hackworth wants to put his best foot forward in this match, but he’ll be missing Speedy Williams and Shaun Francis thanks to the Gold Cup. The good news is just about everyone else is available, including a now-rested Brian Ownby. He’ll also probably have an eye on the weekend’s league match against the Baby Bulls, but we’ll at least try to take things one step at a time here.

In any event, it’s going to be fun. Fight and win. VAMOS MORADOS.