Week 22 of MLS NEXT Pro features a second Game of the Week with the red-hot Columbus Crew 2 visiting FC Cincinnati 2. Action is set to kick off at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday from TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio.
This game will be the second meeting between the two sides, with Columbus Crew 2 taking the first game with a 4-0 victory at home back on July 16.
This and every match will be available to stream live and free of charge on MLSNEXTPro.com.
MLS NEXT Pro has teamed up with automated camera technology provider Spiideo to deliver live streams of all MLS NEXT Pro matches, ensuring every game this season will be available for viewing on MLSNEXTPro.com.
Since losing to Columbus Crew 2, FCC 2 has earned valuable points by defeating RNY FC on the road and coming away with a point after a draw at home against Inter Miami II.
Last week, FCC 2 fell in a tight contest to Union II, where they came close to evening the score in the match's final minutes but failed to equalize.
In an effort to improve their defense during the last stretch of the season, FCC 2 announced the signing of defender Jordi Govea this week. The 23-year-old Ecuadorian is a former Real Madrid Academy player and last played for Swansea City and will look to bolster FCC 2 in the back.
With only six games left in their season, the Orange and Blue will be looking to climb out of 10th place in the Eastern Conference and build momentum toward next season.
Arquimides Ordóñez, forward - The 19-year-old forward missed some time this season while representing Guatemala in the CONCACAF Under-20 Championship, where he scored five goals in 6 games and was part of the tournament's best XI. Ordóñez scored his third MLS NEXT Pro goal of the season last week and will look to add to his tally this Sunday.
Morgan Marshall, defender - Marshall has started all 16 games he's been featured in this season and earned his second assist of the campaign last week against Philadelphia Union II. His 24 tackles this season place him among the leaders of the FCC 2 defense.
Jordi Govea, defender - Can the newcomer make an instant impact?
The Eastern Conference leaders with 41 points sit 11 points clear of their nearest competitor after defeating second-place NYCFC II 3-0 last week.
It'll be tough to knock Columbus Crew 2 off the top spot in the East before the season ends, but Head Coach Laurent Courtouis' side knows not to take their foot off the gas pedal even against a team they've defeated once before.
With the playoffs just around the corner, Crew 2 will look to assert their dominance on Sunday and add another three points to their season total.
When asked how his team will keep their edge with such a big lead in the standings ahead of their matchup with FCC2, Courtois responded: “We talked internally, and we agree that we didn't want to let anything to get away from us. But more importantly, the mentality and the approach which we want to arrive to the playoffs, and be prepared and be anticipating the potential problems a game like this can present based on how the opposition perceives us now.”
He later added: “You just don't switch on the playoff game, it has to be already on our mind every day in order to get on the same page at that moment. It’s tough because, obviously, you have to approach each game and compete and perform, but at the same time, it’s gotta build up the mentality to arrive (to the playoffs)."
It'll be tough to knock Columbus Crew 2 off the top spot in the East before the season ends, but Head Coach Laurent Courtouis' side knows not to take their foot off the gas pedal even against a team they've defeated once before.
With the playoffs just around the corner, Crew 2 will look to assert their dominance on Sunday and add another three points to their season total.
Mohamed Farsi, defender - The 22-year-old wingback, is currently one of the league leaders with seven assists this season. His stellar play on both sides of the ball led him to become the second Columbus Crew 2 player to be signed to a First Team contract, following Jacen Russell-Rowe's signing in June.
Marco Micaletto, midfielder - The 26-year-old midfielder brings composure and leadership every time he steps onto the field for Crew 2. Always an offensive threat, Micaletto is third on the team with five goals scored this season while also providing two assists in 17 games.
Jake Morris, defender - A former Seattle Sounders Academy product and older brother of Aidan Morris of the Columbus Crew, the elder Morris has been a steady presence in the backline contributing 15 tackles and winning 48.5% of his duels this season.
