BRADENTON, Fla. — FC Cincinnati’s first preseason trip as a Major League Soccer team started Saturday when the club flew to Florida for a two week stay at the IMG Academy.
There, the club will train in a warmer climate and play three exhibition matches against other MLS clubs. Here are the dates:
Wednesday, Jan. 30 – 7 p.m. vs. Montreal Impact
Saturday, Feb. 2 – 10:30 a.m. vs. Colorado Rapids
Thursday, Feb. 7 – 7 p.m. vs. D.C. United
Why IMG Academy?
This isn’t FC Cincinnati’s first time here — it’s the fourth consecutive preseason — but the 2019 stint is the most crucial to date.
In roughly the last two weeks, the team acquired 10 new players from transfers, trades and the MLS SuperDraft. There have only been four practices, and by the time the club returns to Ohio on Feb. 9, the regular season is three weeks away.
By coming to Florida, Head Coach Alan Koch and his coaching staff will evaluate their 31 players, implement a style of play and build chemistry ahead of the inaugural MLS season.
These three matches could see experimentation of different styles and lineups. When FCC travels to Charleston, S.C. from Feb. 14-24, that trip might provide a better look at the eventual starting lineup in the first regular-season match on March 2 at Seattle Sounders FC.
