Patrick Brennan

pbrennan@enquirer.com

Many names and faces make up the Futbol Club Cincinnati movement at the club level, and The Enquirer will endeavor in 2017 to introduce you to the most prominent figures that make up the club, both on the pitch, in the stands and the front office. The Enquirer will run regular question-and-answer pieces on FC Cincinnati's biggest names, and the first Q&A of 2017 introduces supporters and new fans alike to one of the club's newest players, midfielder Aodhan Quinn.

First impressions are everything, some say, and Aodhan Quinn's first encounter with Futbol Club Cincinnati as a member of a rival United Soccer League in 2016 club ultimately helped make him a member of FC Cincinnati.

Quinn previously pulled the strings in the midfield for, Louisville City FC, a sworn FC Cincinnati enemy. But Quinn voluntarily moved north to Cincinnati in a January signing – a move Quinn's former manager James O'Connor later cast aspersions on.

But why defect from "LouCity," one of the strongest USL franchises since it entered the league in 2015?

FC Cincinnati's a big club that matches Quinn's aspirations, he told The Enquirer during a Friday interview.

Former rivals in FC Cincy ranks

Quinn's now settling into FC Cincinnati as one of the most vital pieces of a 2017 squad with USL title aspirations.

The Enquirer interviewed Quinn about his move to the Queen City, along with other topics, following Friday's FC Cincinnati training session at Xavier University.

Patrick Brennan: What attracted you to the FC Cincinnati organization and project?

Aodhan Quinn: Last year when we obviously played them and saw them in the league, it was an unbelievable environment (at Nippert Stadium). I knew a few of the guys. I knew Eric (Stevenson) from Akron. I knew some of the other guys. They said how fantastic the organization was, so, got talking with some of the coaches and it developed into a good relationship and eventually got me over here.

PB: Tell me about your path through the pro ranks that led you to this juncture.

AQ: I was drafted by (Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer) out of college. So, I knew Austin (Berry) a little bit. I know Corben (Bone). Philly didn't sign me so then I went to Orlando City SC, their last year in USL. After Orlando City, I played with Louisville City for two years, and now in Cincinnati.

PB:Last year, for guys that never played in front of the kinds of crowds that FC Cincinnati attracts, it was an understandable mental challenge. Do you feel like the big crowds at Orlando City helped prepare you for this kind of situation, or is it something that doesn't really bother you?

AQ: Personally, it doesn't really bother me. Orlando City, we had decent crowds. Even Louisville, we had decent crowds. We'd never seen anything like what we saw in Cincinnati last year. For some players, maybe, it makes them play harder. For some, it might be intimidating. For me, it's just another game and it was a fun environment to play in.

PB: Fun even as a rival playing on the road?

AQ: You want to play in full stadiums. I think even for away teams, it jacks them up a bit. I enjoy it.

PB: How have you experienced the managerial change from John Harkes to Alan Koch?

NOTE: Quinn was brought into the club prior to former head coach John Harkes' mid-February ouster.

AQ: I knew John a little bit. Him and my dad (former U.S. international and Everton player, Brian Quinn) played for the U.S. national team. I spoke to John a little bit last year, so when he finally brought me in, I was excited to work with him, but it didn't last too long. But Alan's been great. It's been exciting and fun with Alan.

PB: Who are your roommates in the team apartments in Oakley and how do you like them?

AQ: Eric Stevenson and Justin (Hoyte), now. It was Eric and Corben but Corben bought a house. It's great. I knew Eric and I knew Corben really well. Now, Justin's come in and fit in just as well.

PB: Have you had a chance to get out and see much of Cincinnati, and do you have a favorite hangout?

AQ:Over-the-Rhine a lot. Like it down there. We've been to Rhinegeist for the team signing event. And MadTree in Oakley is pretty cool.

PB:FC Cincinnati plays Louisville City April 22nd. Are you going to go full turncoat and dish on them in the team talks leading up to that game?

AQ: (Laughing). Everything's on tape and it's pretty easy to break a team down from that. And Alan handles all that anyway.