Mathieu Deplagne and Adrien Regattin grew up playing soccer together as kids. Between the ages of 9-14, they represented Montpellier in France.

Fourteen years later, they’re FC Cincinnati teammates and are days away from their first match together at Nippert Stadium.

“It’s crazy because I feel like we don’t move,” Deplagne said about the duo. “We don’t change. We have the same personality and we both have the same character as we had then. I know what he wants and he knows what I want, so for me, it’s easy.”

Their chemistry will be one of the key storylines for FCC in 2020. With Deplagne at right back and Regattin just ahead of him at right wing, there’s an unspoken bond that’s already visible on the field.

Photo taken by Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

In the 2-1 loss at Atlanta United FC, Regattin was a 61st-miunte substitute and immediately jump-started the Cincinnati attack. The winger had his first FCC assist within three minutes after finding Yuya Kubo for the club’s lone goal.

“His personality adds a lot,” interim head coach Yoann Damet said of Regattin. “He’s someone that works hard and is very humble. He knows he has to better his English, to better understand what’s going on and better communicate with the players and with the staff. But I think his integration, like the other players, has been good.”

But Regattin also brings a familiarity.

While he’s new to the team – and trying to master a new language – he and Deplagne have a mutual bond that doesn’t need words for communication. “Just a look,” says Deplagne.

That kind of chemistry could be crucial for the club as it implements an attacking style that requires constant communication between the fullbacks and wingers. If Deplagne gets forward, Regattin might need to drop back and cover defensively.

Their mutual understanding of one another isn’t by chance. It’s actually fairly common for players to reunite from previous clubs or playing experiences.

On FCC’s left side, there’s a chance that Greg Garza and Joseph-Claude Gyau partner out wide, similar to their days at IMG Academy and the U.S. national team program.

Before them, former Cincinnati players Justin Hoyte and Emmanuel Ledesma had a tight partnership after their time at Middlesbrough in England.

As for Regattin and Deplagne, the defender said he was pushing Regattin to join the club ahead of the 2020 season. After playing exclusively in France and Turkey, the winger and former Morocco National Team player was a free agent looking for another opportunity.

“We talked a lot before he came,” Deplagne said. “I gave him some advice about the city, about the club and the fans. He was really excited to come because he’s seen the games and the people in the stadium.”

If this season goes well, there’s a chance the duo can push for more French players to join FCC or MLS. In 2019, Deplagne said it was great playing against Nicolas Benezet, who’s now with the Colorado Rapids, but was a Montpellier youth teammate.

“We played together a short period in France, and us three are in the U.S. now,” Deplagne said, before revealing a wide grin. “It’s a crazy story.”