A Critical Off-season for FC Cincinnati

It’s no secret that the 2019 campaign for FC Cincinnati was an absolute failure and disaster. From the beginning of the roster build until the final matchday, it was clear that their inaugural season was more of a challenge than they had prepared for. Team President Jeff Berding decided to take on building a roster with then manager Alan Koch instead of hiring a GM to do so. Quickly MLS pundits and FC Cincinnati supporters grew concerned with how Berding and Koch were assembling the roster and the amount of money they seemed to be misusing. The rest is history, terrible history, but history. League record worst season and league record amount of goals given up followed. However, there was light at the end of the tunnel once Ron Jans was named manager and Gerard Nijkamp was named GM. The club finally seemed to have some direction in MLS and saw Nijkamp bring in Joe Gyau, Andrew Gutman, Maikel Van Der Werff and Derek Etienne. Three of those four players immediately made the club better and look to be starters or featured in the 18 every match. We won’t talk anymore about 2019 because it was so forgetful, but we will look toward 2020 by reviewing the moves Nijkamp and Jans have made to this point and look in   to where they might still possibly improve.

Off-season Thus Far:

Options Declined:

CB Forest Lasso

M Corben Bone

LW Roland Lamah

D Justin Hoyte

Trades:

Rights to M Victor Ulloa to Inter Miami for a 2020 3rd round pick in the SuperDraft, $50,000 in GAM and 2019 MLS Re-entry Draft stage 1 pick 26.

Received ST Brandon Vazquez from Nashville SC for $150,000 in GAM

Received RB Zico Bailey from the LA Galaxy for $50,000 in GAM

Signings:

D Saad Abdul-Salaam from the Seattle Sounders via stage 2 of the MLS Re-entry Draft.

M Haris Medunjanin from the Philadelphia Union via stage 1 of the MLS Re-entry Draft.

CB Tom Pettersson on a free transfer from Ostersund FK

Players Who May Be On The Move:

ST Fanendo Adi:

The striker FC Cincinnati signed in their last season in the USL to prepare for their first season in MLS, just never lived up to the hype. His attitude has been sour at times to say the least and his effort on the pitch has been questioned. His salary and DP status make him hard to move given him form, but the club may decide to buy him out. The club wants to add 3 DPs this season, at least 2 before the season starts and the other they hope to get done this winter but may have to wait until the summer window. With that said, they are motivated to move him so they will unload him whatever it takes.

ST Darren Mattocks:

The club’s other striker wasn’t much better than Adi. Although he seemed to be involved more on the pitch, it didn’t show many results and Ron Jans doesn’t seem to be a huge fan. Jans was asked about Mattocks and he told the media that Darren needed to be more a team player. I do see the club trying to keep Darren, but only if they can get him to take a TAM deal in order to help them financially.

GK Ben Lundt:

The young goalkeeper was loaned out last season to Louisville City and we should expect to see him loaned out again. They could look to completely move him because he does take up an international slot, but a loan seems more likely.

CB Hassan Ndam:

In the same boat as Lundt, was loaned out last season and looks to be on the way to a loan again. Takes up an international slot and FC Cincinnati needs to open them up to add attacking options.

Possible Additions:

While FC Cincinnati gave up a record 75 goals last season, their attack needs to accept some blame for that. They were anemic the entire season and gave their defense no respite or rest from the opposing teams attack. It seems they are done adding to their defense and back line depth so now they are turning their sights on possible attacking players. Here are a few names that would fit what they need.

CF Bobby Wood:

The USMNT striker has struggled recently with form and fitness. This is what I think is the classic need for a player to change clubs. Bobby still has plenty of potential and quality at only 27 years old. You can argue Hamburg hasn’t really treated him well but Bobby may have brought that upon himself, especially considering his attitude wasn’t always the best according to the club. With that said, I would love for FC Cincinnati to go after Wood as a DP in the #9 role which he seems to fit perfectly in Ron Jans 4-3-3 Dutch system.

LW/D Fabian Johnson:

If not for MLS getting in the way in 2018, Fabian would already be on the FC Cincinnati roster. The club has a deal done with Borussia Mönchengladbach and Johnson gave his blessing. However, MLS said because they already signed Adi, they could not ignore the allocation order to sign Johnson. Fabian is 32 years old and has been hampered by injuries for this season and much of last. But signing Fabian would not only give them an attacking option, but also someone who is able to play both fullback positions. I would not pay Fabian the salary he has now, but would welcome a high level TAM contract.

RW Gyrano Kerk:

A pacey, young right winger who plays for FC Utrecht in the Eredivisie in the Netherlands. Nijkamp and Jans are both very familiar with him and are exactly what they are looking for according to their own words. They have both said they want young, pacey talent who are familiar with the Dutch 4-3-3, Kerk checks all those boxes. He would probably require a $7,000,000+ transfer fee and a DP contract, but seems he would be well worth it.

CF Nikolai Laursen:

Rumors spread on twitter a couple days ago that Laursen was close to signing with FC Cincinnati. Obviously he hasn’t signed yet and the club hasn’t commented on the rumor. He is a 21 year old who plays in the Eredivisie for FC Emmen. He is one of the more promising Danish players but really hasn’t shown it yet at the club level. For me this move doesn’t make much sense considering you can argue Brandon Vazquez fits this mold as well. If they were to sign Laursen it would most likely be a TAM deal and a small transfer fee.

CAM Gaston Pereiro:

The PSV Eindhoven #10 would be the ideal DP CAM that the club desperately needs. He has been out most of this season with a collarbone injury but has started to work his way back. This might be the exact time to make a play for him. His value may be lower than it has been in a long time and it could be time for his club for move him. He has been there for 4 years and his contract expires in June. The Uruguayan would be an immediate difference maker and would be worth the money.

We should see some movement from the club in the coming weeks given the recent report in The Athletic. This is an exciting for the young club and all of the supporters. With the backline set and the midfield looking much strong with the addition of Haris. If they can capitalize on signing DP level players in attack, we would see a big time bounce back campaign for FC Cincinnati.