USOC Quarterfinals Information:
- Who: FC Cincinnati (MLS: 12-1-3, 39 points) vs Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USL Championship: 6-2-5, 23 points)
- When: Tuesday, June 6, 2023 – 7:00 PM EST
- Where: TQL Stadium – Cincinnati, OH, US
- How To Watch: B/R (Bleacher Report) YouTube Channel
2022 Matchup:
- April 19, 2022: FC Cincinnati 2 (Barreal 95′ (Pen), 99′) – Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 0
Key Player: Álvaro Barreal (CIN)
We’ve made it to the quarterfinals of the US Open Cup – with 6 MLS teams and 2 USL teams remaining. FC Cincinnati will play host to Pittsburgh, a team they eliminated last year in this very tournament – at TQL Stadium. With the incentive of a CONCACAF Champions League spot for the winner of the tournament, the red-hot FC Cincinnati side will look to keep their perfect streak at home going and move on to the semifinals for just the second time in club history.
In last year’s US Open Cup tournament, Argentine midfielder Álvaro Barreal was given the start against Pittsburgh at home. This was just in the third round of the tournament in 2022, the first match that MLS teams play. Barreal had very limited play time up until that match due to Costa Rican international fullback Ronald Matarrita securing the left-back role for Pat Noonan’s team.
Barreal’s play in the US Open Cup in 2022, along with Matarrita’s injury, helped the Argentine flourish into arguably the best wingback in all of MLS. His season effectively started against Pittsburgh, where he scored a brace in extra time. Now as a key starter for FC Cincinnati, he’ll look to have another productive night against the RIverhounds in hopes of taking FC Cincinnati one step closer towards CONCACAF Champions League qualification.
Barreal probably won’t have to do all the heavy lifting like last season’s matchup – because, unlike last year where the likes of Haris Medunjanin, Harrison Robledo, Allan Cruz, and Isaac Atanga started, fans can probably expect 2022 MLS Best XI midfielder Luciano Acosta, USMNT forward Brandon Vazquez, and many more of the key starters for the historically good MLS team to start on Tuesday.
Photo Credits: @FCCincinnati (via IG)
Check out Area Sports Network on Twitter & Instagram and Subscribe to our YouTube Channel. We just hit 1k subscribers and look to continue to grow the channel. Stay tuned for more content going forward!
