It’s wild how things change so quickly. Just a few months ago, I wondered what fans would ask me with no games in sight. Now, we don’t know when the 2020 regular season will resume, and this mailbag has never had so many questions.
Thank you for the questions and I tried to pick some of the best (or most asked). As always, you can send me a question here or tweet at me.
Cshul: What’s the latest for the delay? As of right now with only 30 days, is the April 11th game on?
As of now, yes. FCC are scheduled to play April 11 at the New England Revolution. Do I personally think that happens? I don’t.
Local and federal leaders have implemented policies and prevention plans that are making that matchup feel too soon – especially in light of the recent CDC guidance and MLB’s decision to push back its season start. I hope games resume as soon as possible, but public health and safety matter most.
MLS’ current training moratorium only runs until Friday. But when you hear news that NBA teams have multiple people test positive for COVID-19 – and they don’t have symptoms yet – the last thing anyone needs is the league starting too soon and the problems that could result.
David: If Covid-19 dies down a little but not enough, would FCC games be played without fans?
FCC President Jeff Berding made it clear in last Thursday’s press conference that playing games in an empty stadium would be last resort for MLS. I can’t see the league taking that step – especially when MLS is a league where stadium atmosphere is one of the biggest selling points.
As someone who just watched FCC play closed-door friendlies with, like, 12 other people (team employees and injured players) in the stands, no one wants that for a regular-season game.
Cvgspotterbrettbauman: Are the players safe?
FCC have taken progressive steps toward player safety. Unless they’re rehabbing from an injury, all players and non-essential staff have been told to stay home and not go to the Mercy Health Training Center. Team staff based in the downtown headquarters are almost all working from home, save for a handful of senior staff.
Isaac: Will the entire season be pushed back or will there be more games in a shorter time to fit them all in?
Nothing’s certain until the league resumes, but I’m guessing MLS keeps the remaining games on the schedule and sprinkles in different matches when it can. I think we’d see more mid-week games. But what does that mean for the 2020 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup or the other tournaments, like Campeones Cup?
Paul: Is the coaching search continuing through all of this?
Yessir. Berding said FCC have been in communication with different coaches to fill the vacancy. He also admitted there’s no rush to bring someone in ASAP while the league shuts down.
AcupofJoe: Will opening match day tickets be schedule for the rescheduled opening match?
For anyone who bought a ticket for the home opener (last Saturday against D.C. United), that ticket will be valid when the game gets rescheduled.
Vinny: Is it possible to have big matches from the past rerun on star 64 in place of the absent matches?
Stay tuned …
Conroy: As a young aspiring coach, is FCC doing anything to develop the area’s young coaches
Yes! The FC Cincinnati Academy conduct a Discovery Program that local players and coaches attend. Once the Academy is back up and running, there will be more info about a possible Spring Discovery Program, as well as a broader program that will have a far reach to many of the Tri-State region’s youth programs.
Shewit_worton: Have y’all had a home grown player yet?
FCC haven’t yet, but Under-17 goalkeeper Beckham Sunderland trained with the first team last week while Bobby Edwards was out with an ankle injury. He’s the first Academy player to train with the MLS players.
Julio: How’s West End Stadium doing?
West End Stadium looks great! It was surreal to be one of the first non-construction workers standings on East Concourse. It’s wild to think how much has happened so quickly on the building front. Everything looks great and the weather is starting to get nicer. (Fun/stupid fact: There’s a portal potty where the north goal will be.)
Clayton: How many seats does the stadium hold?
There’s no official number yet, but expect one in the coming months or so.
Jwahoff: Will the new stadium rules be the same as Nippert?
Similar to the last question, this is a “wait and see” question that will have a better answer in the future.
Gregrame: In the future, can you play a friendly game in my country which is France please?
Gonna be honest, it’s way more likely a French team comes to Cincinnati than FCC playing overseas in France. That said, I’m down!
Jchuges7: What more can I do to spread the love for the Orange and Blue up here in the Cleveland area?
I’m not sure how many FCC supporters there are in the Rock’n’Roll Capital, but hopefully this spreads some awareness. That’d be awesome to get a group together to stream the matches on ESPN+.
In the meantime, rep the club out and about! That’s what I’ve done on my trips up there in the last few months. (FCC on Saturdays, the Browns on Sundays)
