A haze has fallen over Cincinnati, and it has become something that FC Cincinnati has had no choice but to address and consider as they train for their weekend match with New England Revolution.
With air quality dropping due to smoke from wildfires from Quebec, Canada, moving south, FCC has adapted their training to consider and accommodate the well-being of its players.
“We’ve shortened some of the durations,” FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan said of the changes made at training due to the air quality. “With the air quality, (in addition to) the temperature. Trying to maintain some intensity in what we’re doing.”
The AQI (Air Quality Index) was at its highest in Cincinnati since 2000, with averages of 188 throughout the day Wednesday and highs of 199. Thursday saw little improvement, with scores in the 160s throughout training and reaching a high of 176, which the EPA still describes as “unhealthy.”
Friday, though, air quality became considerably more favorable, falling into the mid-50’s after rain Thursday night and early Friday morning.
“When I wake up in the morning, the throat is a little sore.” FCC defender and Cincinnati native Nick Hagglund said Friday morning, “But now ultimately, it’s been a good week of training. We haven’t had a full build up for a while. So it was nice to have four days to prepare.”
Projections indicate that AQI is expected to improve as more rain hits the region. Still, Saturday night’s match could see scores rise into the triple digits again, according to some weather services, should the rain miss the area.
Yerson Mosquera extended and ready
FCC defender Yerson Mosquera officially had his loan from English Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers extended throughout the end of the MLS season.
“It’s nice to stay here…I am very happy about this situation,” the Colombian defender said Thursday afternoon at MHTC, “I have more opportunities to play. I have more minutes, and that’s better (for the player). If you play, if the city is good for you, if you’re happy, there is nothing better.”
Mosquera has been a signature piece of the FC Cincinnati defensive core. The 22-year-old has started in all 16 games he has appeared and has intercepted 35 passes while winning 58.7% of his duels.
“Before (FC Cincinnati) I didn’t have much confidence.” Mosquera said of his time with the club, “Now I have confidence. I am happy, my family is happy…and that’s more important in life.”
Wolves had recently communicated with Mosquera that they were pleased with the defender’s development in MLS. “They said…‘you need to stay ready for when you come back to Wolves,’” Mosquera said after training Thursday, “This is good for them, good for me. Cincinnati is (the) perfect team for me.”
Almost back to full strength
Defender Nick Hagglund and forward Sergio Santos are back in full form with team training; both players featured in Saturday’s loss to D.C. United, with Hagglund playing the match and Santos subbing on for the final 19 minutes of the game.
“Not a positive result, but I got through 90 minutes so that’s a positive. That’s the most important thing and now I’m ready to build off it…there was an intensity this week in training.”
Japanese DP Yuya Kubo also had a full week of training after missing Saturday’s match with D.C. due to an illness.
The only player to participate outside of the main group is Junior Moreno, as he continues to recover from a leg injury. Head coach Pat Noonan said Thursday that Moreno could be available for Saturday’s match, but the club may choose to play it safe and not utilize the Venezuelan midfielder this week.
The club will continue without forward Brandon Vazquez and defender Matt Miazga as they represent the USMNT at the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup.
Defender Ian Murphy will also be unavailable as he serves a one-game suspension after receiving a red card in FC Cincinnati’s last match against D.C. United.