Welcome to the latest edition of my weekly mailbag! The MLS regular season is officially back up and running, which means people have plenty of questions.
I try to answer some below. Again, if you’d like to have a question feature in the next mailbag, you can send me questions through this link or tweet at me. Thank you!
Judi: Why do teams loan players to other teams? I just saw Rey Ortiz was loaned out.
Players are sent on loan to develop and receive the playing time they wouldn’t get with the first team. For example, Rey Ortiz was loaned to Charlotte Independence (USL Championship) to become a regular in their lineup. As a result, the rookie will get the match experience he wouldn’t get with the MLS squad. Players who go out on loan are generally considered long-term prospects who will eventually play for the first team – just not yet.
(For example: Frankie Amaya was sent on loan to Orange County SC last Spring to earn minutes. He quickly got recalled and became an FCC starter.)
TheVinnyD: Any odds we see De Jong make an appearance this weekend?
As of Thursday, Siem de Jong hadn’t trained with the team yet and is finalizing his visa in Amsterdam. That said, Jürgen Locadia wasn’t back in Cincinnati this time last week, but then played and scored. We’ll have to wait and see…
William: Does the team do anything before or after the games?
The players always have a pregame and postgame meal together with the coaching staff when they’re on the road. When there’s a home game, players generally come to Nippert Stadium straight from their homes. Then, after the game, a postgame meal is available to them at Nippert Stadium.
TheartofAdam: The proper way to pronounce Locadia?
YOUR-ghen low-CAH-dee-uhh.
Steven: What happened to Joris Ahlinvi? Is he still at the club?
Ahlinvi is no longer with the club. After getting picked in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft, he joined team in preseason as a trialist, but only trained with FCC in Tucson.
My personal opinion: Ahlinvi had glimpses of quality, but he’s old for a rookie (24). How much will he develop when he’s already older than players like Allan Cruz? He also would’ve needed an international slot. I’m intrigued to see his next move.
Steven: Who’s the best outlet to get FC Cincinnati merch in the UK?
www.mlsstore.com should be able to help!
TheColewayMeyer: Where can I send fan mail to individual players?
Mercy Health Training Center
707 U.S.-50
Milford, Ohio 45150
Jsal01: Do you speak Spanish?
(I’m guessing this is directed at Greg Garza, who was on the promo for this mailbag. He speaks English, Spanish and Portuguese.) I speak very, very elementary Spanish and German. (Am I allowed to say that if they’ve been useful before?)
Jpmitsch24: Can the camera on the stadium be moved to see more than the west side of the stadium?
That’s a Turner Construction question more so than an FCC one. That said, when I was there last week, it’s truly amazing to see all the progress.
