With 3 new FC Cincinnati signings, some players are interested in leaving

Charlie Hatch | chatch@enquirer.com

Show Caption Hide Caption Kasey Keller discusses FC Cincinnati acquisitions, club's transition to MLS FC Cincinnati's created quite a buzz for itself this week, and the timing couldn't have been better seeing as most of the American and Canadian soccer media are gathered in Atlanta for the 2018 MLS All-Star Game. Former U.S. men's national team goalkeeper Kasey Keller discussed FC Cincinnati with The Enquirer.

A week remains in the summer transfer window, and to this point, Futbol Club Cincinnati has used the month-long spell to build the strongest United Soccer League roster.

FC Cincinnati completed its third signing in as many days Wednesday afternoon when it announced Swedish left back Pa Konate has signed on a 2018 loan deal from Serie A's SPAL. Fanendo Adi and Fatai Alashe signed Monday.

For a team joining Major League Soccer next season, new signings mean more competition and potentially less playing time. On Tuesday, head coach Alan Koch said he's had "one or two" players ask to leave the current league leaders before next Wednesday.

"We've had some chats and one of two of the guys would be interested in going and trying to get some playing time somewhere else," Koch said. "One or two guys want to stay and be a part of something special until the end of the season. It just depends on the individual and what their motivation is."

One player has already left this window: Daniel Haber joined Ottawa Fury FC on a free transfer in July.

Koch, a second-year coach who signed a contract extension through 2020 last week, said each player is managed individually. While new players took pictures and joined practice Monday, Koch said others met with him in discussions regarding "constructive feedback," which included describing their status at the club.

"It's important to make all the guys understand where they stand within the group," he said. "I'm not always the bearer of good news, but I have to be comfortable giving good and bad news and always be transparent and open and honest with players."

More: FC Cincinnati announces loan deal for Swedish international Pa Konate from Serie A club SPAL

More: FC Cincinnati to introduce two MLS signings Monday

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A player's perspective

"Of course bringing new guys is gonna change things, but everybody here has the mentality that they want to be the best," said winger Russell Cicerone. "Everybody works hard every day. In that sense, it hasn’t changed. But seeing new faces and trying to incorporate them into the chemistry we already have in the locker room is a little bit of a challenge. But that’s why we’re pros. We get put in these situations a lot. We’re capable of dealing with it."

In Cicerone's case, his usual position as a winger hasn't seen any new Cincinnati player additions, although others have. Adi arrives as a forward, while Alashe is a holding midfielder and Konate is a left back.

"They're new players and that's part of the game," said left back Blake Smith, who will compete with Konate for minutes. "When you’re technically going for promotion, you do start to see new players come in and new players start for your spot ... I think most of the guys feel these guys are coming in to take their spots from them. Nobody’s spot is locked in, obviously, so we’re gonna have to show it and fight every single day."

Of FC Cincinnati's 21 USL matches, Smith has started 18 of them and has produced a solid season, both offensively and defensively. Scoring in the league opener, he also has four assists.

New players joining the club isn't new for Cincinnati, though. Last season, Koch signed multiple players during the season in an attempt to build upon the squad he inherited from inaugural coach John Harkes. The 2017 side never sat higher than fifth in the USL Eastern Conference standings. The 2018 team holds a six-point lead in the conference.

Smith said the dynamic in the locker room could change going forward, but the new players have been welcomed into the group.

"Guys get used to a certain group," Smith said. "When somebody new comes in, some players are gonna feel, 'Where do I stand now?’ or whatever it may be. You feel like you have your group now and then new guys come in and it changes things up.

"It’s gonna take a little time to get used to, but I think it’s a great group of guys. So far it’s been easy and guys are gonna welcome everybody with open arms."