Match Information:
MLS NEXT Pro: Matchweek 24
Date: Sunday August 24, 2025
Kickoff: 11:00 a.m. ET
Location: NKU Soccer Stadium (Highland Heights, Kentucky)
Watch: **Apple TV-MLS Season Pass**
SOCIAL TAGS:
Instagram: carolinacorefc
X: FCCincinnati2
Instagram: fccincinnati2
Match Overview
CCFC Record: 5-9-8 (27 points – 11th in East)
FCC Record: 5-9-7 (29 points – 9th in East)
CCFC vs FCC All-Time: 1-1-0 (2 GF, 3 GA)
Carolina Core FC is on the road to take on fellow playoff hopeful FC Cincinnati 2 in MLS NEXT Pro. The game will be livestreamed on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, with kickoff scheduled for 11:00 am ET.
STORYLINES
Narrow Margins and Big Performances
Carolina Core FC fell 1-0 in a narrow defeat to fellow independent side Chattanooga FC last Saturday, conceding a late penalty in the final minutes of the match. The result overshadowed a solid defensive effort from The Foxes, who continue to see goalkeeper Alex Sutton climb the ranks of MLS NEXT Pro to have the sixth-most saves in the entire league. Even more impressively, Sutton is second in clean sheets in MLS NEXT Pro. The Foxes will need to turn their defensive strength into attack as they prepare for their next game against FC Cincinnati 2, whom Carolina Core FC defeated last season in their most recent encounter, 1-0. A victory against their Eastern Conference foes would allow Carolina Core FC to leapfrog them into a playoff spot.
Player to Watch
Paul Leonardi leads Carolina Core FC in assists (three) and holds the second-highest number of key passes (28) for the team in the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro season. Leonardi’s creativity has been vital in The Foxes’ matches this season, notably creating three chances in Carolina Core FC’s game against Chattanooga FC—the most in that match. The Frenchman is relentless in attack, comfortably leading the team with 27 successful crosses. With 16 games started (with 18 total appearances) this season, Leonardi is a vital attacking option for Carolina Core FC.
FC Cincinnati 2 Eyes Playoff Spots
FC Cincinnati 2 is just outside the MLS NEXT Pro playoff positions, sitting in ninth place in the Eastern Conference with 29 points. FC Cincinnati 2 is also coming off a 1-0 road loss on August 15 to Toronto FC II. Cincinnati aims to regain momentum at home against Carolina Core FC after most recently winning a home match on August 11 against fellow North Carolina club Crown Legacy FC in a seven-goal thriller (4-3). FC Cincinnati 2’s top scorer, Kenji Mboma Dem, scored in that victory, bringing his total to five goals (and seven goal contributions) in the 2025 MLS NEXT Pro season. Mboma Dem also ranks third in key passes for FC Cincinnati 2 so far this season.
