After three long years, CT United FC will kick off the first match in club history. Catch up on everything you need to know ahead of Sunday’s match.
Opponent: FC Cincinnati 2
Date: Sunday, March 1st
Time: 6:00 PM ET
Venue: NKU Soccer Park, Highland Heights, Kentucky
Broadcast: OneFootball TV & MLS Youtube Channel
CT United FC:
Since its formation on January 9, 2024, CT United FC has been working hard to put the club in the best position for its first season.
It all began on December 23rd, 2025, when the club appointed Shavar Thomas as the club’s inaugural head coach. Thomas arrived in Connecticut after serving as the head coach of Jamaican Premier League side Portmore United FC, and as an assistant coach with the Turks & Caicos National Team and MLS NEXT Pro side FC Cincinnati 2.
With a head coach in place, the club began building out its roster. Hungarian forward Barnabas Tanyi made history on December 26, 2025, as he became the first player to sign with CT United FC.
On top of Tanyi, the offseason saw CT United add goalkeepers Anthony Ramos, defenders Andre Applewhaite, Michael Boamah, Richard Hauth, Lukas Kamrath, and Nelson Rodriguez, midfielders Daniel D’Ippolito, Ernesto Gómez, Ibrahim Kasule, Hivan Kouonang, Alex Monis, Robbie Mora, Sean Petrie, and Steven Sserwadda, and forwards Laurie Goddard and Cauã Paixão.
While Sunday marks the first game in club history, it also marks the start of a four-game road trip throughout March that also includes meetings with Chattanooga FC, Philadelphia Union II, and New England Revolution II.
FC Cincinnati 2:
It’s been a busy offseason for FCC 2 as the club ended the 2025 season in seventh place before suffering a 2-1 loss to Philadelphia Union II in the opening round of the playoffs.
Sammy Castellanos takes the helm of FC Cincinnati 2 after beginning his coaching career within the Orlando City, Red Bull New York, and Chicago Fire Academies.
Players like Ademar Chavez, Stefan Chirila, Kenji Mboa Dem, and Brian Schafer departed FC Cincinnati 2 in the offseason to sign first team contracts with the MLS side.
2026 also sees FCC 2 enter the new season with additions like goalkeeper Bryn Dowd, midfielder Jack Mize, and forward Diver Mosquera.
Opening day has been a mixed bag of results for FCC 2 as they hold a 1-2-1 record in their first four opening day matches.
