Hello and welcome back to another week of my mailbag. While MLS play remains suspended, there’s still plenty of news surrounding FCC and the league. Of course, more news means more questions.
As a reminder, you can submit questions for the mailbag here, or by tweeting at me. Thanks for contributing!
Stovoss: What are the odds that season ticket member’s tickets will transfer over to next year?
It’s too early to say what the final club policy will be since it’s not finalized yet. We just don’t know what’s in store for the rest of 2020 and that will have a major impact on how all ticket purchases are handled. During an all-staff call earlier this morning, one of the discussion points was scenarios in which the season could return in the near future. The gist of that discussion: there’s no set timeline and things are evolving.
But I know FCC are committed to filling Nippert Stadium as much as possible if play resumes in 2020.
(On a personal note: I have season tickets to another pro sports team, and this is the precedent they’re using, too.)
Reillysoccersal: How are you going to bounce back from last year?
There’s obviously no good time for a pandemic to sweep the planet, but it came just as FCC were starting to get comfortable and show promising signs for the future. Ignoring the first half of the season opener, the team has played well and created attacking chances. One of the best offensive weapons – Siem de Jong – has only practiced three times with the group.
Yeah, the team really struggled in 2019, so it’s easy to grow. But the club has a framework to build from right now that didn’t really exist a year ago. Once this season resumes, I’d be optimistic.
Wchughes95: Which two teammates are biggest BFFs?
I think Kendall Waston and Allan Cruz are really close and a lot of that was out of necessity last season. Caleb Stanko and Fatai Alashe both grew up together in Michigan and played youth soccer together. On a historical note: Paddy Barrett and Pa Konate were inseparable.
Aethandill: Would you ever switch Gary’s name to Bailey?
I can’t see that happening. Gary’s name is awesome because the fans created it and the club ran with it. There’s no point changing a good thing. Ideally, the names “Gary” and “The Bailey” speak to two different, unique aspects of the club.
Samparnell17: What’s it like for Jimmy to be the only original FC player left?
I’ve spoken with Jimmy McLaughlin about this – and don’t want to speak for him – but it’s pretty cool he’s been with the club from its start in the third division to making the MLS roster. But it’s worth noticing that FC Cincinnati are a different club than they were during the 2016 inaugural season. Everything’s grown in professionalism, and it’s a testament to McLaughlin for growing as well.
Going forward, hopefully FCC have some players who can stay for the long-term. McLaughlin has played over 100 matches for the team, but how soon can a current FCC player get to 100 MLS appearances with the team?
Lawrence: I’m a novelist to soccer, but my grandnephew lives for it. He is seventeen and talks my ear off about it. He is a great person, being seventeen and is an accomplished musician and soccer player for Norwood High School. I wish I could impress him in some way to show I support his visions of player great soccer and becoming whatever he wants to be in the future. I’m sixty five and I still work 40 hours a week at Amazon and try to make time for his sporting events or concerts. Anyway I just want you to know I will be attending your games as soon as this problem blows over.
Hey Lawrence! Thanks for reaching out, and that’s great that you’ll be going to FCC games with you grandnephew as soon as possible. You deserve credit for wanting to spend time with him and maybe you’ll fall in love with soccer yourself!
