Before joining FC Cincinnati, Mathieu Deplagne had a respectable career in France as a defender that included a Ligue 1 title and over 100 appearances with his boyhood club – Montpellier.
But after playing two seasons with AC Troyes, who were relegated to Ligue 2 in 2018, Deplagne opted for a move to Cincinnati to play in a new country with a new culture and language. So far, he’s flourished.
“The transition was perfect with the team,” he said. “The guys on the team have helped me with the most they can. I enjoy it to be here and play for FC Cincinnati.”
The 27-year-old Frenchman is the only player to play every minute for the Orange and Blue this season, in addition to being the lone player to make an appearance in every match.
He attributes his durability to being in midseason form. He moved to MLS midway through his French season.
“I come into Cincinnati with good stamina and good strength so I don’t have to recover my body for the season,” he said. “For me to play all the minutes is good. It’s confidence in me so I enjoy it. If I can play the 34 games, I will.”
Deplagne has played 990 minutes through 11 matches so far this season and has a goal and an assist. The goal came in his first appearance at Nippert Stadium, where he finished a cross from Darren Mattocks to beat the Portland Timbers, 3-0.
But his versatility has been more impressive than his time on the field. Signed as someone who could play as a right or center back, he’s flipped between left and right back throughout the season.
“This switch was for me to help the team and it’s not a problem for me to switch on the pitch, because it’s a different position but the mentality is the same,” Deplagne said. “As a defender first, I’m used to playing on the left and right side. So, if I get put in different positions, it’s not a problem.”
He said another welcomed difference between American and French soccer is the mentality.
Deplagne and the European players are used to a promotion and relegation system that sees the best clubs and worst clubs change divisions. That’s nonexistent in MLS, of course.
As a result, that changes the approach to matches, the defender said.
“Teams don’t have the pressure of relegation to go down,” he said. “It’s more offensive (here) than defensive. I appreciate the mentality when you start the game, the mentality is to score now.
“The approach to the game is different. In France, you don’t want to (allow) the first goal. Here is more to score first. It’s different.”
