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2020 Preview



After a quiet, noncontroversial, and rather boring offseason, FC Cincinnati is set to kick off their season this Sunday against the New York Red Bulls. Other than that one team that calls the flat, boring area of our state home, beating the Red Bulls is next on my list. This is the team that ended our magical USOC run and their USL team ruined our final USL season two years ago. I hope to see FCC ruin their home opener this season.

The National Pundits seem to have a consensus about where our team will finish this season - the very bottom of the table. It is being predicted that the Orange and Blue will be fighting for that bottom spot with Nashville. I understand why many people do not have faith in our team. Last season was a disaster, and well, the offseason may have had a hiccup or two.

I can think of a few reasons to be pessimistic about the upcoming season. First of all, we have yet to prove ourselves in MLS. In the world of sports, you can't be expected to be good after a horrible season just because of a few offseason moves. Secondarily, there is a sense that this is our second expansion season. For the most part, we are starting from scratch. At any point in this season, it is conceivable that we will feature seven starters in a match that were not on the roster at any point last year. Then there is the elephant in the dressing room... Our primary kits look like trash.

I am not pessimistic about this season. In fact, I feel very excited. We added four attacking weapons to our team that are undeniably an upgrade at every position. The big splash was the addition of Jurgen Locadia, who has scored goals in both the Premier League and the Bundesliga this season. At 26-years-old, Locadia is a top 10 talent in MLS. Not saying he will end the season as a best XI player, but he has the talent and pedigree to be there. Also, the addition of Yuba Kubo will add another piece that defenses will have to be aware of. The Japanese International Player would have been our biggest upgrade if not for Locadia. Adrien Regattin seemed to have slid under the radar but is definitely a threat on the wing and he will add great experience to our team. Siem de Jong, coming over from Ajax may be the most exciting player added to our roster. Siem will be playing the Central Attacking Midfielder we have so desperately been craving. I think everyone expects him to lead this team in assists and be involved in a very high percentage of our goals this season.

So my prediction for the season? I see a fight for a playoff spot deep into September and hopefully October. If we nail the head coaching hire and get that person in place soon I think we will be competing for a home playoff game. I can think of no better way for FC Cincinnati to say goodbye to Nippert Stadium than with a home playoff win. FC Cincinnati should have the best home-field advantage in MLS and it is up to us, the fans, to make sure of that. No matter what happens I can't wait to watch this team take the pitch and score a lot more goals than they did last year.

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