FC Cincinnati 2020 Season Preview
Where do we start? Just over a week ago everything in Cincy was trending in the right direction…. But then, of course on Valentines day, we get news that Manager Ron Jans was under investigation from the MLSPA for using a racial slur in the locker room. While we will most likely never know the whole story, it was rumored that Jans was singing along to a song and dropped a word he absolutely shouldn’t have. The MLSPA investigation is rumored to uncover additional wrongdoing only adding to the situation. A few days later, the next Tuesday to be exact, Jans resigned and left a very promising FC Cincinnati squad without a manager. Obviously not ideal with just over a week left in the preseason. We start with this bit of info because it takes a team that was starting to gain traction and creates a situation of pure unknown.
We all know the numbers and the record league worst 2019 that was. Fun fact, if you can’t keep any sort of possession and your defense is under constant attack you allow A LOT of goals. We’re not here to dwell on 2019 as that’s done and dusted. 2020 FC Cincinnati begs a lot of questions and there isn’t really a perfect place to start so let’s just dive right in.
It has been a very busy offseason. One could argue that this past offseason felt almost like that of another expansion team. Gerrard Nijkamp, FC Cincy’s General Manager, has been quite the busy man bringing in talent primarily from Europe. This is of note as the “theme” of the MLS offseason has been Mexican and South American talent breaking all kinds of MLS transfer records. Nijkamp on the other hand has played to his strengths and his experience and has made some impressive moves from across the pond. When we look at Designated Players, on paper FC Cincinnati went from zero to hero. The one DP from the 2019 team barely saw the field, filed a grievance against the club, snagged an OVI in his Porsche hitting triple digits, and openly voiced his frustration with the manager. The club exorcised the one time “buy out” per each offseason to move on from Adi who ironically went 90 minutes north to Columbus #HellIsReal. The club also found ways to move on from some not so favorable player contracts in moving Leo Bertone back to Switzerland, not resigning Roland Lamah, Inter Ft Lauderdale selecting Alvis Powell in the Expansion Draft, and moving on from most of the carry over USL talent. If we were to stop here this would be considered a successful offseason…. but FC Cincinnati isn’t stopping here.
Coming in are plenty of fresh and some familiar MLS faces. Nijkamp has been able to work his Dutch magic to say the least. Let’s break down the new editions:
Haris Medunjanin - Midfielder - Via the MLS re-entry draft Cincy was able to snag arguable Philly’s MVP of 2019. Medunjanin (35 in March) played every minute for the Union in 2019 and was one of the most consistent midfielders in the MLS. To get him essentially for free, even at 35 years old, is a steal. Haris brings much needed MLS experience but even more importantly a calm about him in the center of the pitch. His ability to find areas of space for the attacking front three should go a long way in improving FC Cincy’s 2019 goal numbers.
Yuya Kubo - Attacker - Designated Player - Kubo was FCC’s first DP signing of the offseason. Having played in Europe with KAA Gent & Nurnberg (loan) over the past few years Kubo brings a certain pedigree. When in form Yuya is a sneaky attacking option who can play winger, forward, and even attacking mid if needed. Kubo comes to Cincy trying to find just that, his form. At 26 the talent and skillset still remain but his loan spell at Nurnberg netted just one goal in 22 matches. FC Cincinnati is a fresh start for this Japanese International and after studying a good amount of film, Kubo could be one of the best adds this offseason. He does the little things that often go unnoticed and just by playing his game he makes his teammates better.
Siem De Jong – Attacking Mid - Designated Player/TAM Player (TBD by the club by 2/28) – Siem is the most recent addition to the FC Cincinnati roster. The Dutch attacking midfielder comes to Cincy via Ajax having also spent time with Newcastle in the EPL and after winning the Australian Championship last season with Sidney FC (loan). At 31 Siem has often been troubled by the injury bug but when healthy his vision and touch are world class. Siem most likely won’t be available the first few weeks of the season while waiting on his work visa. Once he joins the club on the field, he could very well be the missing link. FC Cincinnati hasn’t had a player of his mold arguably in their existence. For both Siem and the club lets hope he can stay fit and in form.
Brandon Vazquez – Forward – Brandon joined FCC via Nashville and their expansion draft (trade). Having spent the last few years as the under steady to one Josef Martinez in Atlanta, Brandon looks to be a important contributor for the first time in his MLS career. Sitting at #2 on the depth chart his impact could have an important say on how this club does come the ladder part of the season. Vazquez is one for both the present and future. With Brandon being just 21, hopefully this trade haunts Bridal Party FC for years to come.
Tom Petterson – Center Back – Via a free transfer Petterson brings uncanny experience to the back line. In looking at his past clubs one thing stands out. Petterson starts and plays anytime he can. His game fits that of a team who plays from the back with Petterson being comfortable in distribution and not just clearing danger. Once fully fit (currently rehabbing a knock from preseason) it could be very interesting to see if Petterson will supplant another CB on the FCC backline.
Adrien Regattin – Winger/Midfielder – Regattin, a Moroccan International, has spent much of his career in League One (France) or the Turkish top tier. After being out of contract with his Turkish club, Akhisarspor, in 2019 Regattin had multiple suitors (rumored to return to France) but remained unsigned. Nijkamp again worked his magic in convincing Adrien to come to Cincinnati. His game translates to either an attacking right mid or right wing with his strengths being on the ball or running into space. Both areas that fit the Cincy attack in 2020. If you were to describe Regattin in one word it would be passion. Just watch his goal celebrations and tell me you wouldn’t stand behind this guy!
Jurgen Locadia – Striker/Winger – Designated Player – Just 2 years ago Locadia was Brighton & Hove’s record-breaking transfer as they gained promotion into the EPL. Locadia never quite gained traction at Brighton and was recently on loan in the Bundesliga with Hoffenheim. In his short stint with Hoffenheim Loca scored 4 goals in 11 appearances but again fell out of favor after the German winter break. Enter Nijkamp and his connections to not only convince Locadia to give FC Cincinnati a shot but to also convince Brighton to recall Locadia from his loan early to then loan him to Cincinnati. Locadia comes to Cincy on a 6-month loan with a club option to buy/extend that stay for another 2.5 years. The transfer fee, rumored to be around $10 million, would make a statement for a smaller market team in MLS that we are he to play and the ownership is serious. Locadia is top 10 talent in MLS and if he stays motivated and gets the needed service he could potentially challenge for a golden boot. The key is how quickly does he become comfortable and how quickly does the team around him gel?!
FC Cincinnati is a team with a lot of questions and a lot of unknowns. These statements stood before Ron Jans resigned. There are many managerial names rumored with the club ranging from Jaap Stam (Dutch CB Legend) to Domenec Torrent (former NYCFC Manager). Who and how soon are questions we can only speculate on. That leaves 29 year old Yoann Damet as the interim head coach for the second time in two years. While Damet has substantially more talent to work with this year his team is still unproven and new to one another. The questions loom how long can Damet man the ship and how successful with they be?
From a prediction standpoint FC Cincinnati will easily be more competitive from last season. In full transparency, that’s not saying much. As things stand now, we could argue the East is a tossup and there’s multiple teams left with unfinished rosters. This bodes well for FC Cincy and their hopes to make a playoff push… as much of an ask as that may be. I believe this team has the talent to make the playoffs, which will come down to decision day in Montreal on October 4th. The 7 th seed in the East is doable, and there are multiple ways to get there. Don’t forget FC Cincinnati will most likely have a third DP spot open come summer, possibly a tenured manager in place, and a team coming into their own down the stretch. Even with all the turmoil that has surrounded this team in its short MLS history, the future is bright.
