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_.
Thank you for the questions and feel free to send more!
Jeff: Why should we believe Jeff Berding saying he wants to bring a championship here when we have heard this from countless owners. And, why haven’t we heard from CL II?
With Berding being the President and General Manager, he’s seen as the spokesman of the team. What he says about the club’s on-and-off field actions have always taken precedence.
In this instance, Berding speaking instead of Majority Owner Carl L. Lindner III was a chance for the president to explain why he dismissed Alan Koch from his head coaching role. Additionally, Berding could speak to his plans for the world-wide head coaching search.
Berding saying he wants to bring a championship is legit – in the same way it was last season in the USL. Whether it’s he or Lindner III saying it doesn’t diminish the validity.
Efren: The biggest question I’m sure every fan wants to ask is, why is such a lineup difference every game? You can tell the players don’t know one another and their pass accuracy is bad due to not playing enough time together. 3 different lineups in 8 days with 3 games. The players don’t seem to know what’s their role in their positions. I think Ledezma or Ulloa, Cruz and Seif need to play midfielders to control the middle of the field to control the game and attack forward, they are way better having the ball and setting up attack coming from behind. Alashe or Adi in the center and Mattocks and Lamah coming from behind on the sides. Mattocks needs to get help from the midfielders to set up attacks coming from behind to set up Adi or Alashe. Additionally, Bertone and Deplagne need to also add as an attacker from the sidelines coming all the way from the defense in the back to add the number of attacking players to have better chances. Main defenders Waston, Lasso and Huggland are strong. I think Spencer Richey should be the main goalkeeper, he is the best in MLS. I think the coach makes a decision on his starting 11 and his 4 to 5 main substitutions. Play the same team for 3 to 5 games and let them play their hearts out. Have Seif become an assist legend and help the team score not be a main forward. I watch every game and I want to see them turn it around. Players need time to understand one another and how they move on the field. They need to trust what each other is going to do. I really hope you can pass this onto the coach.
This question was submitted before the coaching change, but I wanted to give it attention. Interim Head Coach Yoann Damet said his goal is to insure the players know their roles and the team plays with an identity.
To me, one of the biggest takeaways from Damet’s first interview as interim coach was him mentioning that the club is going through a process of creating a new approach and style – and adding consistency. As a result, that means it’s going to take time.
Rather than focusing on each match individually, it sounded like Damet wants to build something that’s the new norm. As a result, I think we’ll see limited changes to the lineup once the new coach picks his first starting lineup. By doing so, they’ll be given time to develop increased chemistry.
Alan: What is Greg Garza’s status? The team definitely needs him!
Garza is still recovering from a calf injury, but he participated in training Monday during the 15 minutes of open practice. He did not on Thursday. The club is being precautionary. There’s no need to rush to increase a chance of an injury.
Emily: Your loyal fan base, although we are patient with the new team, would love to see some of our USL Championship players get a chance to play. Specifically, why hasn’t Nazmi Albadawi gotten any minutes this season? We haven’t scored in 7 games. We haven’t won in 5 games. What do we have to lose? I believe that Naz is an unselfish player and belongs to be out there. We want to see him. #FreeNaz
I would like to see Nazmi Albadawi make his MLS debut soon, too. He works hard in practice and often stays after for individual training. While we have seen other players from last year’s USL team, we’re waiting on Albadawi.
At this point, it’s up to Damet to see which players fit into his style, formation and lineup. Once we have a better idea of that, I think it’ll be easier to see the roles of each player. The coaching change essentially made things a fresh start.
Ryan: With the recent struggle to find the back of the net, and the lack of any identity going forward. Does the club have any plans to use the third DP slot to bring in a top tier creative midfielder this summer? Someone like a Chicarito?
Well, the first MLS transfer window just closed, meaning any additional signings will have to wait until the summer. But with Damet implementing a new approach, it’s worth waiting to see what changes in the attacking third before rumors circulate about possible attacking targets.
Yeah, the team’s lost five straight. But I also think the FC Cincinnati that line up Saturday against the Montreal Impact will be different from the one that lost at the San Jose Earthquakes – at least mentally.
Steven: Any chance of a jersey? I live in the UK and can’t get a hold of one.
It looks like you should be able to order a jersey internationally on Fanatics. If that doesn’t work, I’ll speak with our merchandise staff to see if we can work something out. Cheers!
