Welcome to “Down The Hatch,” a weekly mailbag about FC Cincinnati and their time in MLS. This is Charlie Hatch, the club’s Digital Host and Writer.
Questions can be submitted here or on Twitter by tweeting to @charliehatch_.
Here’s our second addition. Thank you for the questions and feel free to send more!
Bill: Just checking on injury updates on team. Is Greg Garza expected back soon? And when will we get to see designated player Allan Cruz? Is he also on DL?
The team is healthy. As of Thursday afternoon, Garza fully participated in his second-consecutive training session. In terms of his health, this is the most progress yet.
As for Allan Cruz, he’s not on the disabled list. Head Coach Alan Koch said Cruz was a healthy scratch against Seattle Sounders FC. On Thursday, Koch told the media that Cruz wasn’t going to start and he wanted to show loyalty to USL players by putting them on the bench instead. Koch said Cruz was understanding.
Koch also said both are in competition to make their club debut on Sunday night at Atlanta United FC.
Mark: How soon do you think until Frankie Amaya can work into the rotation? He looked really creative and promising in preseason.
You’re right, Amaya looked good in preseason and has looked more comfortable with time. At this point, that’s the most important thing.
Yes, I think he’ll play for Cincinnati this season. I could see him starting, too. But it’s important to note he’s still an 18-year-old and developing.
Amaya had recent success with the U.S. Under-20 National Team and could play in the upcoming U-20 FIFA World Cup, which would be an impressive achievement. That he’s playing with the U-20s at 18 speaks to his quality.
Chris: (Alvas) Powell was way too aggressive offensively in my opinion, was that him or coaching? We had no chance on their counters. I wouldn't be surprised to see (Forrest) Lasso back there Sunday.
The fullbacks on Koch’s teams always push forward. Sometimes, it came with success: Matheiu Deplagne got forward to set up Leo Bertone’s goal. When they were too forward, the team got burned. In truth, it looked like the fullbacks were playing as wingbacks in a back three. The issue: FCC used a back four. That likely came from weeks using a back three and then swapping it for four defenders a week before the regular season started.
I thought the center backs – Kendall Waston and Nick Hagglund – played well under Seattle’s barrage. I can’t see one of them, the club captain or Cincinnati-native, dropped. Lasso could only play if that happened or if Cincinnati uses a back three.
Rachel: After what looked like a lack of cohesion in the game against Seattle, what are the chances we’ll see some of the original FC Cincinnati players (Ledesma, Lasso) in the game against Atlanta to promote a sense of unity on the field?
Does that promote unity or show more changes? Against Seattle, Koch used 10 starters from the Columbus Crew SC preseason loss. While both ended with defeats, they showed consistent lineups. Going forward, I think that will be the norm, with a few changes each match. That shows more chemistry than constant changes.
The USL players played well against MLS reserves largely because they had more chemistry. What we’ve seen recently is MLS starting lineups have more cohesion than FCC’s. It’s crucial that gap closes.
Nathan: I am a FC Cincinnati fan based in Columbus Ohio, and I would like to begin the process of organizing: (1) a Supporter's Group for FC Cincinnati in Columbus, and (2) maybe Pub Partners in Columbus who would be willing to always play the games. Is there any formal process for setting up a Supporter's Group or building relationships with Pub Partners?
Please let me know what is needed, and I would be more than willing to begin the process of forming at least a Supporter's Group here!!!
Hey, Nathan! I love the idea! I’m not the best person to ask, but my friends at marketing@fccincinnati.com might have better info for you. Good luck!
Melly: I agree with "Jeanine" regarding Jimmy; certainly, seems appropriate for him to be @ our first home game celebration. You explained about his unfortunate injury, but didn't really answer her question about him joining the team on such a special day. Could you pass on the idea to FCC? I'm sure the fans would go nuts to see him!
And now for my sincere question: Not one single person has really explained about the discordant ratio we face as FCC builds the new stadium. Even @ maximum expansion, the number of seats will be well below our higher numbers. I sincerely don't understand WHY a smaller stadium was chosen. It seems like prophesying your own limited attendance, & second class future, & then guaranteeing it by building a cramped stadium in a too small neighborhood. (And please don't tell me we can use PBS for certain games..... UGH!)
Who could ever forget that night with the Chicago Fire??!!!?? 35,0000 fans. I think we could regularly do that in the future. Why doesn't FCC & Lindner?
Hey, Melly! Lots to unpack.
First, the only mention of soccer and Paul Brown Stadium is about Cincinnati’s 2026 FIFA World Cup bid.
Second, Jimmy McLaughlin tweeted that he’ll be at the home opener.
Third, the club stated the West End Stadium will have a capacity between 25,500-26,500. For context, the club averaged 25,717 fans last season. Also, President and General Manager Jeff Berding recently said the WES will be one of the largest soccer-specific stadiums in the country. That’s not a second-class future.
I think the club is looking at its attendance growth and wants to cap the stadium size in a way that creates demand for tickets rather than trying to constantly fill potentially-empty seats. The match against Chicago was historic. FC Cincinnati wants a stadium that’s sold-out regularly. With that in mind, it’s better to build off proven numbers than potential.
Again, the stadium is 100 percent privately funded and, according to Berding, will be among the biggest of its kind. That’s ambition, in my opinion.
