Saturday night marks the penultimate FC Cincinnati home game, and Head Coach Ron Jans said the team is eager to earn a home result for the supporters.
Those comments came Friday morning during his pre-match media availability. Here’s what else Jans said ahead of the Orange and Blue hosting the Chicago Fire at Nippert Stadium:
FCC are still looking for their first point at Nippert Stadium since Jans became the head coach in early August. With two home games remaining, the window is shrinking.
“It’s kind of a strange feeling, because in two weeks it’s all over,” Jans said. “I was so satisfied with the team spirit and the working rate and the passion the players showed. We won in Chicago, so let’s win in Cincinnati, too. It’s also good to have a result in a home game, not just for us, but also for the fans.”
Jans issued an injury update, and Kekuta Manneh will miss the remainder of 2019.
Manneh’s had a shoulder injury that will require surgery, but the team was going to wait until the offseason for the operation. But after a recent hip injury, the plans changed and Manneh will miss the next three games.
“Let’s do it now because he will need some time to recover, and we want him to be fit when the preseason starts,” Jans said of his winger.
With Manneh out, that means Cincinnati have three players confirmed to miss the rest of the season. The other two are Darren Mattocks (ankle) and Jimmy McLaughlin (knee).
Additionally, Jans said Allan Cruz is out against the Fire. He’s been in concussion protocol since the win against the Montreal Impact.
The coach was also asked about Fanendo Adi and Spencer Richey returning in 2019, but he said their returns are unlikely.
“I think time is running faster than the recovery,” Jans said. “I don’t think they will play anymore, but you sometimes have those miracles.”
It’s no secret some FC Cincinnati players won’t stay with the club in 2020. That messaged has been known for months. But with two games at Nippert Stadium remaining, Jans was asked if lineups could be based around sentimentalism and that the matches could be a farewell. Here’s what he said:
We don’t play players because of the sentimentalism,” the Dutchman said. “I always believe in the players. We try to always play a winning 11.”
