BRADENTON, Fla. – On Saturday morning, Yoann Damet and Ivar van Dinteren stepped in front of the camera and tried to provide the best description of what FC Cincinnati’s short-term future will resemble.
The two assistant coaches will lead the Orange and Blue on Sunday afternoon when the club hosts Nashville SC at the IMG Academy Soccer Complex. The move comes after head coach Ron Jans stepped away from the club to allow for an independent investigation to occur around allegations made against him.
“We have to keep focusing on what we’re doing,” Damet said. “The plan is the same. We focused on the playing style, we focused on what to do, we focus on the team and we move on.”
Kendall Waston, the club’s 2019 captain, also said the players have come together and want to move forward.
“What we spoke about was that we have to be united, no matter what the situations that we are going through,” Waston said. “In difficulties is where we have to be more closer, more unify. Because at the end, we have to enjoy our job. We have to fight for our job, and try to make this team successful … We are representing FC Cincinnati. We are proud of it, so we have to show it on the field.”
Here’s what you need to know ahead of kickoff…
The match is closed to the public.
Similar to last Thursday’s 1-0 win against the Philadelphia Union, FCC’s friendly against Nashville will be a closed scrimmage. For updates, visit fccincinnati.com after the game.
Sunday marks two weeks until the 2020 season opener
“We are working toward the first game of the season,” van Dinteren said. “I think we are on our way, but let’s see tomorrow what’s going to happen.”
Cincinnati’s season opener will be March 1 against the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena. The home opener is March 14 against D.C. United at Nippert Stadium.
About Nashville
FC Cincinnati and Nashville SC had a rivalry when the teams last met in 2018 during FCC’s USL stint. Cincinnati is unbeaten against Nashville.
The opponent is one of two new MLS franchises this season, in addition to Inter Miami CF.
This will be the first meeting between the clubs as first-tier sides. It’s also worth noting both teams were awarded expansion rights during the same MLS expansion cycle.
