Ahead of FC Cincinnati’s first season in MLS, here’s a guide to help with background info on the club’s new league.
This is the third of a five-part series. The first, which focused on the league’s history and current structure, can be found here. The second, which explained the postseason format and tournaments, can be found here.
MLS 301 focuses on players in the league.
In USL, FC Cincinnati occasionally played against players who have since gone on to make big names for themselves (Tyler Adams and Zack Steffen) and famous internationals (Joe Cole and Marcel Schäfer).
That's the new normal. With promotion to MLS, the Orange and Blue will play world-class players every week moving forward. Here's a look at some players FCC could face in 2019:
Wayne Rooney (D.C. United)
One of the most-recognizable names in world soccer, Rooney plays for D.C. and played against FC Cincinnati during the preseason. FCC drew D.C. 1-1.
In 20 MLS appearances last year, the former England international has 12 goals and seven assists.
FCC host D.C. United on July 18 at Nippert Stadium, then play at Audi Field to close the regular season on Oct. 6.
Zlatan Ibrahimović (LA Galaxy)
Known simply as Zlatan, the man who refers to himself in third-person is one of the world’s most prolific scorers — more than 500 goals in his career.
After joining the LA Galaxy last season, he scored 22 goals in 27 games. He also had 10 assists.
The Galaxy play at Nippert on June 22.
Bastian Schweinsteiger (Chicago Fire)
The center midfielder won the 2014 FIFA World Cup with Germany and has 55 MLS appearances across two seasons with the Fire. He played at Nippert in 2017 when Cincinnati upset Chicago in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and also featured in the 1-1 preseason draw.
FCC play at the Fire on July 13 and host them on Sept. 21.
Nani (Orlando City SC)
While he’s not played an MLS match yet — he just signed with Orlando — Nani is a world-renowned name after his stint with Manchester United and Portugal. He has 112 caps with the Portugal National Team.
Nani was on Valencia CF’s roster when the Spanish club visited Nippert in 2017, but he didn’t play in the international friendly.
Cincinnati plays at Orlando on May 19, with the reverse fixture being Cincinnati’s last home game in the regular season: Sept. 29.
Josef Martinez (Atlanta United FC)
The 25-year-old was the 2018 MLS MVP after setting the single-season scoring record: 31 goals in 34 appearances.
In two seasons with ATLUTD, Martinez has 50 goals in 54 appearances.
Cincinnati plays at Atlanta on March 10 and hosts the reigning MLS Cup champion on Sept. 18 at Nippert.
Diego Valeri (Portland Timbers)
In six seasons with Portland, Valeri has solidified himself as one of the league’s best playmakers. He was the league MVP in 2017.
Overall, he has 180 MLS regular-season appearances. He made 32 in 2018.
FCC hosts Portland in the inaugural home opener on March 17.
Bradley Wright-Phillips (New York Red Bulls)
“BWP” has already shown his quality at Nippert: he scored twice against FCC in the 2017 U.S. Open Cup semifinals.
Through six seasons with NYRB, he has 106 goals through 171 regular-season appearances. The first two-time MLS Golden Boot winner helped Red Bulls win the 2018 MLS Supporters’ Shield.
FCC play at New York on April 27 and host the Red Bulls May 25.
Nicolás Lodeiro (Seattle Sounders FC)
FC Cincinnati will face Lodeiro in their first game as an MLS club on Saturday night.
Signed from Boca Juniors in 2016, the center-attacking midfielder instantly became one of the league’s best talents. In 73 games, he has 19 goals and 36 assists.
He also played in the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups with Uruguay.
Ignacio Piatti (Montreal Impact)
Through five seasons with the Impact, Piatti has 124 regular-season appearances, 63 goals and 34 assists. He scored in the preseason friendly between the clubs at IMG Academy in a 1-1 draw.
Cincinnati hosts Montreal on May 11 and will play in Canada on Sept. 14.
Carlos Vela (LAFC)
Playing for an expansion club last season, Vela scored 14 goals and had 13 assists in 28 regular-season games.
The forward also has 71 caps for the Mexico National Team and he played with El Tri at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Cincinnati plays at LAFC on April 13.
Luciano Acosta (D.C. United)
In three seasons, the Argentinean has 95 appearances with D.C. He’s also scored 18 goals while producing 33 assists.
He scored in the 1-1 draw between the clubs this past preseason.
Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC)
Altidore has made two stints in MLS that combine for 60 goals and 17 assists through 125 games. In Cincinnati, he’s more recognizable as a USMNT forward with 110 caps and 41 international goals.
FC Cincinnati play in Toronto on July 27 and host TFC on Sept. 7 at Nippert Stadium.
Marco Fabián (Philadelphia Union)
Fabián joined Philadelphia this preseason after playing in the Bundesliga and in Mexico. He has 42 appearances for El Tri.
Cincinnati hosts the Union on April 30 and play at Philadelphia on May 1.
Pity Martínez (Atlanta United FC)
The 25-year-old recently won the Copa Libertadores with River Plate in Argentina and awaits his MLS debut. He has two appearances and a goal for the Argentina National Team.
