CINCINNATI – FC Cincinnati have re-signed midfielder Jimmy McLaughlin. The midfielder is the last remaining active player to enter the season on FC Cincinnati’s roster for each of the club’s five seasons – three in the USL Championship (2016-18) and two in MLS (2019-present).
The Malvern, Pa., native began FC Cincinnati’s preseason camp as a trialist and featured in all three of the club’s Arizona-based preseason friendlies. McLaughlin, 26, will occupy a domestic roster spot and has been added to FC Cincinnati’s 2020 roster.
The midfielder missed the inaugural 2019 MLS campaign after suffering an ACL injury prior to the start of preseason. During his three years with the Orange and Blue at the USL Championship level, McLaughlin made 104 appearances, including 72 starts, scoring 13 goals and adding 11 assists across all competitions.
“Jimmy has shown his quality and has demonstrated a strong work rate on the pitch during preseason,” General Manager Gerard Nijkamp said. “He remained focused and put in the required work to get back to full health after a tough injury. We are excited for Jimmy to compete for our club on the pitch in 2020, he is a great representative of what it means to be part of FC Cincinnati.”
“It means the world to me just to be a part of this team,” McLaughlin said. “The last year has been a tough challenge mentally and physically. I want to thank the Lindner family, the entire ownership group, Jeff Berding, Gerard Nijkamp, the coaching staff, the medical staff and the players for their support and help in getting me back to this level. I love this team and I love this city and I’m excited for the 2020 season.”
McLaughlin made 30 appearances, including 11 starts, scored two goals and added four assists for the Orange and Blue in 2018. He was one of just four players to make at least 30 appearances during the course of the season. The energetic midfielder finished the season strong, recording three of his four assists in the final six matches of the USL regular season. In addition, he became the first player in club history to reach 100 career appearances across all competitions.
McLaughlin signed with the Philadelphia Union as the club’s second-ever Homegrown Player after playing one year of college soccer at Colgate University in 2011. From 2012-15, McLaughlin split time between the Union and the Harrisburg City Islanders. With the Union, McLaughlin made seven appearances with one start across all competitions. With Harrisburg, he made 56 appearances, scoring eight goals and recording two assists across all competitions.
FC Cincinnati will resume their preseason schedule when they travel to Bradenton, Fla. on Monday, Feb. 10. The Orange and Blue are scheduled to play the Philadelphia Union (Feb. 12), Nashville SC (Feb. 16) and KR Reykjavik / Sarasota Metropolis FC (Feb. 21) to close out their preseason slate.
FC Cincinnati will return to the field for their second MLS season on Sunday, March 1, when the team opens the season in Harrison, N.J., against the New York Red Bulls. After a road game at Atlanta United FC on Saturday, March 7, FCC will open its 2020 home slate on Saturday, March 14, when the team hosts D.C. United at Nippert Stadium in a 5:30 p.m. game.
For up-to-the-minute information about FC Cincinnati, visit the team’s official website at fccincinnati.com, or follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @FCCincinnati.
Transaction: FC Cincinnati re-signed midfielder Jimmy McLaughlin on Feb. 7, 2020.
#20 JIMMY McLAUGHLIN
Position: Midfielder
Pronunciation: muh-GLOCK-lin
Height: 5-8
Weight: 150
Birthdate: April 30, 1993
Birthplace: Malvern, Pa.
Hometown: Malvern, Pa.
Last Club: FC Cincinnati (USL)
Nationality: United States
MLS Roster Status: Domestic
How Acquired: Via signing on Feb. 7, 2020.
