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FC Cincinnati: 2020 Preview – Off the Bottom?

By Matt Coles

CINCINNATI, OH - MARCH 17: FC Cincinnati defender Kendall Waston (2) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during FC Cincinnati's inaugural home match against the Portland Timbers on March 17th 2019, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - MARCH 17: FC Cincinnati defender Kendall Waston (2) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during FC Cincinnati's inaugural home match against the Portland Timbers on March 17th 2019, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Ron Jans during the Dutch Eredivisie match between FC Groningen and Fortuna Sittard at Hitachi Capital Mobility stadium on May 12, 2019 in Groningen, The Netherlands(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
Ron Jans during the Dutch Eredivisie match between FC Groningen and Fortuna Sittard at Hitachi Capital Mobility stadium on May 12, 2019 in Groningen, The Netherlands(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images) /

2020 Outlook

After a horrendous first season in the league, FC Cincinnati will begin their second campaign with a very tricky start, facing road trips to the New York Red Bulls and Atlanta United in the opening week.

Following that, the Orange and Blue will play their home opener against D.C. United, ahead of home fixtures against Toronto FC and a return match versus Atlanta, playing the Five Stripes twice in the opening five weeks of the new campaign.

The club’s major derby, the Hell Is Real Derby against the Columbus Crew, features twice in the space of a month during the summer. FC Cincinnati host the Crew on July 19, before then travelling to Columbus for the return fixture on August 22 in what could be a crucial run for FC Cincinnati if they are to reach the playoffs for the first time in their short MLS history.

FCC then face Montreal twice in their final five games of the regular season, first playing them on the final weekend of August ahead of a Decision Day clash north of the border on October 4. The club will once again feature in the U.S. Open Cup as well, where, because of their final position in the 2019 MLS campaign, they will enter the competition in the third round.

Next. Seattle Sounders: 5 takeaways from Preseason Week 3. dark

The only way is up for the Ohio-based side, but they will still struggle to challenge for a playoff spot in the 2020 campaign unless they can bring in a couple of new faces prior to the season starting.

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