One month ago in Seattle, Leo Bertone blasted a right-footed volley into the bottom corner of the net and gave FC Cincinnati their first MLS goal 13 minutes into their league debut.
Tuesday morning, Bertone and the rest of FCC practiced at the Mercy Health Training Center in Milford. Between those moments were five MLS matches, seven points earned and Cincinnati’s first month as a first-tier club.
“It was an expansion month,” Bertone said. “We had ups, we had downs and we had to learn fast and quick.”
When the 2019 regular season started, FC Cincinnati were topped, 4-1, by Seattle Sounders FC. A week later, they tied the reigning MLS Cup champions, Atlanta United FC, with a late Roland Lamah equalizer for a 1-1 finish.
Then came a 3-0 win against Portland Timbers – the 2018 Western Conference champs – in the home opener at Nippert Stadium, a 2-0 road win at New England Revolution and a 2-0 loss to Philadelphia Union.
In short, a lot has happened in a quick timeframe.
“I know I always talk about a roller coaster,” Head Coach Alan Koch said. “It’s been a roller coaster from the start and it’s going to continue to be a roller coaster through the next few months.
What follows next is unpredictable, of course, but if it’s anything close to resembling these first five matches, FC Cincinnati’s 2019 campaign will have peaks and valleys – and hopefully no more games in monsoon conditions.
But jokes aside, the one-month anniversary is important for what it symbolizes.
Before Seattle, questions were raised about Cincinnati’s preparation. Were FCC ready? Did they have enough time between USL to MLS?
If the club needed more time, it hasn’t shown. As for readiness, the seven points from five games shows FC Cincinnati do belong in the league and are a formidable side. Currently, FCC sit fifth in the Eastern Conference standings.
That shows progress. More could come shortly.
In the next three weeks, Cincinnati has two home matches at Nippert Stadium and one game on the West Coast. By the time the Orange and Blue have played 10 games, nine will have been against 2018 playoff teams.
No one said the start to MLS would be easy. And it hasn’t been. But after years of supporters dreamed of FC Cincinnati as an MLS team, the Orange and Blue are here and producing.
