Welcome back to “Down The Hatch,” a weekly mailbag about FC Cincinnati and their time in MLS. This is Charlie Hatch, the club’s Digital Host and Writer.
Questions can be submitted here or on Twitter by tweeting to @charliehatch_.
Hopefully readers will find this week’s mailbag interesting. A lot of the focus was on the MLS summer transfer window, which began July 9.
It’s worth noting that most of these questions were submitted earlier in the month, but are mixed with fresh questions and are still relevant today.
@Redelaros: With the summer transfer window, and in addition with Van Der Werff, is there any certain position scouting is looking for?
In a conference call with reporters earlier this month, FCC General Manager Gerard Nijkamp addressed this and said there are three areas on the field where the Orange and Blue want to improve this window: striker, winger and left back.
Cincinnati only has four goals scored by three strikers combined so far this season, so that’s not a surprise. That said, it’s worth noting Darren Mattocks has missed time on international duty and from an injury, while Fanendo Adi has missed time with two injuries and a legal matter.
This past Saturday, when FCC lost to 2-0 to the New England Revolution, was the first time Adi, Mattocks and Rashawn Dally were all included in the 18 together. Mattocks and Adi shared time on the field for the first time since March 10 at Atlanta United FC.
That said, another forward arriving could help address the club’s need for goals. They currently have 21 through 22 league matches.
As for wingers, the club’s been limited in depth at the position. Allan Cruz has been a starter when he’s not playing his natural center mid role. Roland Lamah has missed six weeks with a hamstring injury, but returned last Thursday against D.C. United and awaits his first start since June 6.
Kekuta Manneh and Emmanuel Ledesma had been the only two wingers available recently, but have done well. Manneh has three league goals and assists, while Manu has two goals and three assists.
The left back spot also makes sense.
When healthy, Greg Garza has shown he’s one of the club’s top players. The only issue, however, is he’s played six of Cincinnati’s 22 league matches to this point. He’s missed time with a groin and calf injury. Added depth could allow Mathieu Deplagne to play on the right – his natural position, along with Alvas Powell.
IT SHOULD BE MENTIONED that for any incoming players via the transfer window, FC Cincinnati will also have create roster space in order to acquire players. Thus, it’s a balance.
(Also, signing Maikel van der Werff offers FCC a proven center back who can play in the Dutch style of play.)
Justin: Why target older players from the Eredivisie with no resale value?
This is a good question and hopefully this is a good response.
Not every move FC Cincinnati will make will focus on resale value. In this case, Nijkamp signed a center back who played for him at PEC Zwolle. If Cincinnati desperately need to prevent goals, there’s nothing wrong with signing a player who you fully believe can do just that.
Personally, I think future signings will be different ages to meet different needs. In this case, center backs are generally older and need experience, and FCC signed a player who fits that criteria.
FCC’s two starting center backs – I’m guessing – are van der Werff and Kendall Waston. The duo are 30 and 31, respectively.
Tom: What is the status of Adi, Garza, Lamah and Alashe? We hear nothing. Throw us supporting fans a bone.
This is an older comment, but I wanted to respond. Adi and Lamah are back and were second-half subs last match. As for Garza, he worked off to the side during media availability last week. Alashe was not on the field Wednesday during media availability.
Shane: Curious to know when the Academy teams’ rosters will be published and when will they be starting their inaugural season?
Rosters for the Academy teams will be revealed soon – likely sometime next week. From there, the first matches will be in September, but there’s a chance there’s an August match or two, too.
Kevin: When is all the work at the new stadium (and I know there’s been a great deal that’s been done below the surface) going to be visible and start to see the edifice in the sky? Watch the webcam regularly and am chomping at the bit. It’s a supporter’s dream now, but visible construction will make the dream a tangible imaginable reality!
So, FC Cincinnati unveiled the final renderings for the West End Stadium last Tuesday, of course. During that, it was mentioned that foundation work had been going on already most of the summer. As for “visible construction” – look for steel to start going vertical in November.
