FC Cincinnati had a near starting lineup of players representing national team sides this FIFA International Window, with nine players joining their countries in pursuit of an array of competitions and goals. As many as 12 players could have gone off to their squads after receiving call-ups, but only nine were able to attend due to different mitigating circumstances.
As is typical, there was a spread of representation, with those nine players suiting up for six different countries across four age groups. Similarly, each played a different role in their countries.
The vast selection of players on international duty during this break is somewhat disruptive to the team’s training schedule, but the opportunities it presents for the club is something FC Cincinnati Head Coach Pat Noonan values greatly and preaches regularly.
“I take a lot of pride, and I know our staff does, the players themselves and the teammates do, because it means they're having success and they're being recognized,” Noonan said of what national team call-ups mean to FC Cincinnati. “The number is growing, and the fact that there are 12 players being recognized… is certainly a positive, and that's both at the youth level and with the senior teams.
“I'm a broken record there, but I love it.”
With the International Break halting the MLS regular season, players departed for two matches during the break, but as of Wednesday, all but two have returned to action for FC Cincinnati on Thursday ahead of their weekend return to league play.
On the American side, four FC Cincinnati players represented the United States at four different levels. Initially, five players were selected, but Roman Celentano needed to withdraw after sustaining an injury just before departing for the US Men’s National Team. Then, Miles Robinson sustained an injury during training with the USMNT, and therefore did not appear in either of the USA’s two losses during the final break before the FIFA World Cup this summer. At the youth level, midfielder Gerardo “Dado” Valenzuela started one of the USYNY U21 squad’s games in South Korea, and Ademar Chavez started one of the U17 team's games in Paraguay. Andrei Chirila of FC Cincinnati 2 started both matches for the U18 squad in Portugal.
Kévin Denkey, FC Cincinnati’s leading goalscorer in 2026, continued his scoring habit while with Togo. He scored twice in two friendlies while playing in Morocco. Similarly, in Africa, Teenage Hadebe appeared in one of two matches for The Warriors during their Botswana tour.
Due to some travel challanges, Denkey and Hadebe are the only two who have not yet returned to training, but returned to Cincinnati Thursday.
Elsewhere overseas, Bryan Ramirez and Ecuador played Morocco and the Netherlands to 1-1 draws in Eindhoven, though Ramirez did not appear in either match. Further east, though, Samuel Gidi started for the Slovakia U21 side in UEFA U21 EURO qualifying, earning an assist in the 3-1 win over Kazakhstan.
But perhaps most notably, FC Cincinnati midfielder Pavel Bucha and his Czech National Team won two key matches in UEFA World Cup qualifying, defeating Ireland and then Denmark to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup later this summer. The qualification marks the first time in 20 years that they have qualified for the tournament.
While Bucha did not appear in either match, the call-up was a major milestone for the FCC starting lineup staple as it was his first formal selection in his career. His selection in the squad at such a pivotal time represents a massive accomplishment regardless of his playing time.
The entire Czech National Team's achievement was celebrated widely back home in Cincinnati, as his FCC teammates cheered on Bucha and his squad from a distance.
“I'm buzzing. I told Pavel, ‘before you leave, you find out what number (he’s going to wear)... I don't want anything, I don't need you to bring me anything… I will buy a Bucha Czech Republic jersey. I don't care what it costs. I will find one. I'll get it customized. I don't care,” Evan Louro said of Bucha’s selection and the team's accomplishment. “I sent him a text yesterday (after the final match) and he was so happy. I'm just so happy for him. He's the nicest dude ever and obviously it was a big moment for him. It's amazing.”
FC Cincinnati are back in action this weekend when they travel to Red Bull New York to resume MLS action. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on April 4 at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey.