Entering Saturday night’s matchup with Charlotte FC, FC Cincinnati midfielder Álvaro Barreal is set to make his centennial appearance for The Orange and Blue across all competitions, with the weekend fixture set to be his 91st in MLS.
“I'm really proud to reach this milestone,” the 22-year-old Argentine Barreal said after training Thursday, “It was a goal of mine when I got here…to play a lot of games, to play a lot of minutes and I'm just very thankful to God that I'm able to reach this milestone and have played 100 games for this club.”
Barreal has appeared in all 20 of FC Cincinnati’s MLS matches this season and has been essential to The Orange and Blue’s run to the top of the table through the first half of the season. With two goals and five assists already in league play, Barreal was voted to the MLS All-Star Game for the first time in his career.
“I know it has been a lot of change from when I arrived here,” Barreal reflected, “We weren't in a great situation. But now it's a new environment. It's a new energy. And I'm grateful to be a part of the team. With (head coach Pat Noonan) being here, he gives me so much confidence and I'm so happy to be in the 11 and playing for this club.”
Since taking over as head coach, Pat Noonan has seen a marked improvement from the Argentine, crediting that development to Barreal’s mindset.
“That has to do with the mentality of Álvaro. How he’s improved his maturity level, his professionalism, his hunger for helping the team win.” Noonan said of his midfielder heading into the match with Charlotte FC, “I think he’s just become an all-around better teammate and better pro.
“(Barreal) is playing with confidence and he has a role in our team that puts him in a position to have an impact and he’s doing that.”
The return to Charlotte is a bit of an anniversary for the Argentine youngster. The away match last season at Charlotte FC is when Barreal debuted as a left wing back, a little over a year later he finds himself an all-star at the position.
“I remember that game” Barreal said of the return to Charlotte, “That was my first time playing the position. It was difficult. I struggled to adapt…Thanks to God, I was able to adjust and I'm having much more success. I'm much more comfortable in that position now.”
Turf talk heats up
When traveling to Charlotte FC, one of the challenges The Orange and Blue will face (beyond the quality side they will play against) is the artificial field turf that comes along with playing in an NFL Stadium.
Bank of America Stadium is one of five MLS stadiums to use FieldTurf, a specific brand of artificial turf known for its use in the NFL and its attempted similarity to natural grass compared to other artificial surfaces. Vancouver Whitecaps FC is a sixth club to also use artificial turf but uses a different brand called Polytan which is developed out of Germany.
FC Cincinnati have struggled historically when making the jump to playing on artificial surfaces compared to natural or hybrid grass. In 11 all-time league road matches on artificial surfaces, FCC have only earned points five times and earned just one win, which came back in March 2019 in New England.
“it's just a different type of game” Noonan said on the challenges that the surface posses, “the bounce, the way the ball moves…we've seen enough of those games now to have an understanding of what it's going to look like, but like most things, you can talk a lot about it and prepare guys for it…but when that moment comes. Can you find success?”
The pace of play on the field won’t be the only challenge facing FCC though. With temperatures in the high 80s and the forecast expected to be sunny at kickoff Saturday evening, the weather will be a factor in how the game is played. Additionally, temperatures on artificial surfaces can be anywhere from 40 to 70 degrees hotter than the surrounding air depending on climate conditions.
It is MLS policy to allow for hydration breaks should temperatures exceed 82 degrees Fahrenheit at kickoff. Breaks will come 30 minutes into each half and additional stoppages can be allowed for cooling and/or hydration should the referee deem it necessary for player safety.
Aaron Boupendza set to arrive
Newly signed FC Cincinnati designated player Aaron Boupendza is set to arrive in Cincinnati over the weekend with plans to begin training with the team early next week.
The club acquired the striker from Al-Shabab FC of the Saudi Professional League, but the forward has most recently been with the Gabon National Team, Les Panthéres, as they look to qualify for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Follow Carter on twitter @CarterChapley for updates, stories and more
