Season so Far

With 15 matches played and a small break in FC Cincinnati action, it is a good time to look ahead at the upcoming schedule. FC Cincinnati has a 9-3-3 overall record that has the team atop the eastern conference in the USL. Two of their losses have come from rival and reigning USL Cup champions, Louisville City FC. The team seemed to be figuring each other out as many new faces joined the team before the start of the 2018 season. FC Cincinnati has gone undefeated in USL play over their last four games, but saw their U.S. Open Cup run come to an end from penalty kicks against MLS’s Minnesota United.

What is Working

After FC Cincinnati seemed to struggle early with playing as a team, they have come together well. Their forwards are finding chances to take a shot and capitalizing on these chances with the team having a plus 12 goal differential. Danni König is tied with the team lead at seven goals and holds the franchise record for most goals scored.

The midfielders are all over the field as they push the ball forward and dropping back onto defense when needed. Emmanuel Ledesma, who joined the team before the start of the ’18 season, has been the game changer FC Cincinnati will need to continue their hold on the number one spot in their conference. Ledesma shares the team lead in goals scored, with Danni König at seven, and has shown his presence all over the field. Ledesma can find open teammates to give them chances or can simply look to score from any part of the field.

What Isn’t Working

The back line of defense, which may have been the biggest weakness in 2017, looks to be much improved from one year ago. The addition of veteran Dekel Keinan and the younger Forrest Lasso has helped solidify the line. The line as a whole has been the point of criticism for the season so far. Easy shots and easy goals are scored against FC Cincinnati when the defense seems to entirely break down and let the opposition stay in the game.

After the ’17 season, fan favorite Mitch Hildebrandt, went onto MLS’s Atlanta United and left a vacancy that would not easily be filled. Goalies, Evan Newton and Spencer Richey, stepped in before the ’18 season to fill the spot left by Hildebrandt. Richey and Newton have done their best but will be a focal point of weakness as the FC Cincinnati franchise looks to make its way into MLS. This position will have current goalies and goalies from the MLS SuperDraft or MLS free agents looking to hold the spot down for a franchise starting its venture into MLS in the 2019 season.

Outlook for Remainder of Season

FC Cincinnati has planted itself in first place in their conference and will need to continue to play the same game they have been to stay atop Louisville City FC and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Louisville and Pittsburgh are currently at 25 points as FC Cincinnati has 30 points, but both Louisville and Pittsburgh have played fewer games than FC Cincinnati. FC Cincinnati has scored 30 goals while Louisville and Pittsburgh have scored 19 and 17 goals each, respectively.

FC Cincinnati will need to continue the style of game they have been playing for weeks now to stay atop their conference. Winning games by pushing the ball forward and finishing scoring chances they get. The rest of the season will test FC Cincinnati’s talent and mental fortitude from teams giving Cincinnati all they can handle. Teams will look to beat the number one team in the conference, so every game will have to be earned. Coaches and the training staff will have to prepare the players every game to take the opponent’s best shot and still be able to come out on top.

The final USL season for FC Cincinnati will have teams not only looking to beat the number one team in the conference but also teams looking to beat a future MLS franchise. FC Cincinnati should embrace being on every team’s radar as this should raise their level of play for each upcoming match. The USL could end up having a team going out as USL Cup Champions and not being able to defend their title as FC Cincinnati moves onto MLS.

My name is Derek Bell and I am the Soccer Manager. I contribute articles covering FC Cincinnati in particular. I have been an avid sports fan since I was little, with my favorite teams being FC Cincinnati, the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cincinnati Reds. When football season is around you will more than likely hear me talking about fantasy football.

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