FC Cincinnati started its first three seasons dreaming of Major League Soccer aspirations. The fourth year begins with an MLS reality.
Wednesday marked two months until the first game: March 2 at Seattle Sounders FC. On Thursday, head coach Alan Koch and the technical staff flew to the MLS Combine in Orlando, Fla. Next Friday, the club selects the first overall pick in the 2019 SuperDraft.
For a team proud of “firsts” — first in USL attendance, first in United Soccer League last season, first MLS campaign — more moments and milestones will arrive. They’re happening almost daily.
But if there’s one constant, it’s the one FC Cincinnati has relished since its establishment: Building.
As the front office builds the inaugural MLS roster, construction crews are building the West End Stadium. What follows this season on the field will undoubtedly provide the foundation for the club to build moving forward.
FCC led USL in most ways. Now it’s the young club trying to surprise the country’s top league. If that sounds exciting, it is.
Equally exciting, though, is the squad transformation.
Jimmy McLaughlin and Corben Bone have played with the team since its first game on March 26, 2016. Eleven players, who hoisted the USL regular-season shield last September, will help lead the first preseason training session in three weeks.
Joining them were the players selected in the MLS Expansion Draft last month — Darren Mattocks (D.C. United), Eric Alexander (Houston Dynamo) and Hassan Ndam (New York Red Bulls). Hours later, FC Cincinnati traded for U.S. international Greg Garza from MLS-champion Atlanta United FC and with Vancouver Whitecaps FC for Kendall Waston, their captain.
Since then were the additions of Victor Ulloa (FC Dallas), Przemysław Tytoń (free transfer), Leonardo Bertone (BSC Young Boys), Mathieu Deplagne (ES Troyes AC) and Alvas Powell (Portland Timbers).
Add moves from the SuperDraft into the mix and roster building is closer to completion.
This time last year, club supporters waited months for MLS confirmation. FC Cincinnati asked for patience. Now, supporters await draft picks and the 2019 schedule release. Patience is only needed so much longer.
Because after that, what lies between then and the home-opener March 17 at Nippert Stadium is time that will build anticipation.
There’s no more need to dream of FCC as an MLS club. It already is. What’s worth dreaming about, though, is what comes next.
