Fatai Alashe joined FC Cincinnati last July seeking a fresh start.
Drafted by the San Jose Earthquakes fourth overall in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft, Alashe spent almost four years with the club, making 85 league appearances.
When the time came time for a midseason change of scenery, his move to FCC was unique: not only was it a move closer to home (he’s from Michigan), but also to a club in a lower league.
For the Orange and Blue last season, the year was built around winning a USL championship and growing toward MLS in 2019. Most of the players the club signed were in the second division and seeking their first opportunity in MLS. Alashe and Fanendo Adi – Cincinnati’s new summer 2018 signings – demoted themselves in the short-term USL to become key members for the long-term MLS side.
So, it was momentous occasion Saturday night when the lineup was released and Alashe’s name was among the starters. It was his first start with FC Cincinnati in MLS and his first trip back to his first professional club.
“Obviously not the result we wanted, but it was nice being back,” Alashe said. “This was like home for me for quite a few years. It’s good to be out there. It was good to see some familiar faces. But like I said, I just wish we had a better result.”
In Cincinnati’s 1-0 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes at Avaya Stadium, Alashe started as a right midfielder and brought a noticeable tenacity to the match. Against San Jose’s man-marking style, its former player embraced that with aggressive defending and adventurous runs pushing forward. His 13 duels won led Cincinnati.
Overall, he made two tackles, two interceptions and gained possession twice. He also was fouled the most – four times – suggesting his tight defense and attacking play needed to be contained.
“I’m excited for him,” FC Cincinnati Head Coach Alan Koch said of his midfielder. “He’s had a tough start to the season. He’s been a true professional about it, he’s kept on pushing and I think in the last week, last two weeks, he’s really picked up in terms of how he’s been training, and we’ve been impressed. That’s why he got rewarded. Obviously, special for him to come back here and get a chance to showcase himself, and I thought he did quite well tonight.”
Alashe also had two shots – both on target – that led the team. During a two-minute spell, he almost equalized and then put Cincinnati into the lead.
In the 73rd minute, Emmanuel Ledesma sent a long free kick into the box. Alashe’s header was hard to the bottom right corner, but San Jose’s Daniel Vega collected the ball. Two minutes later, Roland Lamah cross the ball to Alashe, who’s header forced Vega to make an acrobatic save to keep Cincinnati scoreless.
Alashe dropped to his knees with his hands on his head. There was nothing else he could’ve done.
“It’s unfortunate those don’t go in obviously and it’s the second game now that I’ve had chances that those don’t go in,” he said. “But you just have to keep fighting and keep believing that you’ll get one. We just have to continue pushing and the guys have to come together and continue working for each other and the club and hopefully be able to right the ship.
“We have a lot of quality in the group and we have a lot of potential. I think it’s just about getting the pieces right and I think we can do this.”
Alashe missed time earlier this season with knee issues. When he was finally fit to play, he found himself stuck in FCC’s crowded midfield, as Saturday night showed. Cincinnati played with five center midfielders (Alashe, Caleb Stanko, Victor Ulloa, Kenny Saief and Frankie Amaya). They played in different spots, which could explain Alashe on the right.
Moving forward, his performance was strong enough that he could see more playing time in that position – or back centrally. Despite the 1-0 loss, Alashe was a positive note, and someone both teams rooted for.
Before the match, the Earthquake fans applauded him before kickoff. After the match, Q – the Earthquakes’ mascot – sought out Alashe and the two hugged outside the FCC locker room. That was after an extended reunion with old ‘Quakes teammates and staff on the field and by the dressing rooms.
“This was home for me for a while,” he said. “I respect the fan base and they support the team as much as possible. It’s good that they continue to support the players that gave a lot to the club. I played here four years and worked as hard as I could and tried my best for the club. So, it’s nice to see that support still be there.”
