Patrick Brennan

pbrennan@enquirer.com

Futbol Club Cincinnati took up some of the conversation during Thursday's FC Cincy Beat Podcast episode with special guest Austin Berry, but not anywhere close to the entire show.

Much ground was covered during the visit to Rhinehaus in Over-the-Rhine (119 E. 12th St.) bt Berry, a co-captain of FC Cincinnati and Cincinnati native.

During a wide-ranging interview, Berry discussed his time as a professional soccer player in South Korea's top-flight league, the departure of former FC Cincinnati head coach John Harkes and his very low opinion of chili cheese coney's, a staple in the diets of many Cincinnatians.

Here's a brief transcription highlighting a few memorable segments of the conversation with Berry. You can also listen to the show in its entirety below.

Patrick Brennan : What was it like living in this shadow of this North Korean regime? Is it something you think about on a daily basis?

Austin Berry, who played for FC Anyang in South Korea's K-Championship league: (Laughing).

PB: You're laughing. I don't laugh about it (North Korea), and I live in Cincinnati. (Laughter). Seriously, what was it like living in the shadow of this North Korean regime?

AB: ...Just under a month of being over there was when two South Korean soldiers got injured by a mine that had been there since the previous war. And then South Korea was blaring propaganda over on loud speakers and North Korea shot those speakers. So, you know, I'm in team meals watching it and I'm like... "hey, are we worried about the guys out there?" And they'd be like, "No, Berry, they're all talk."

It's definitely interesting, but I hope that doesn't deter anyone away from going over there, but especially now with the things going on, it's very interesting to follow, but they (South Korean teammates) didn't seem worried about it. After being there for a couple months and not even talking about it, I didn't even bother with it.

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PB: (Paraphrasing) How did you experience John Harkes' departure from FC Cincinnati?

AB: It's tough, but out of my six years playing, I've had four coaching changes in the middle of the season, right at the end and this one at the beginning (of the season). So, you learn it's part of the business as you go on. But, secondly, you know it was a little bit of change because we all liked John. John's a player's coach. He's a guy that we all got along with. He's a guy that was calling me at three o'clock in the morning in South Korea two years ago all season because he couldn't figure out the dang time change. So, he's a guy that I really got to know and like and I think him for helping bringing me back here, so, yeah, it sucks, but it's part of the job, part of the business and we've just got to move on and, you know, just get better every day.

PB: Do you keep in touch with John?

AB: Yeah, I talk to him every now and then. I actually texted him last week because it was this time last year that we were at the Reds game. you know, we were all at the Reds game throwing out the first pitch, so I sent him and (former assistant coach Ryan Martin) a pic from that day, so, nice little memory. We'll see what they do here in the near future because I'm sure they'll, you know – 'Tino's (Martin) already started working with D.C. United's academy and I'm sure Harksey will find something just as well.

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PB:I'm going to say a word or a phrase. Austin, I want you to say the first thing that comes into your mind, alright? No. 1 – cheese coney.

AB: Uh, disgusting.

PB: Whoa. OK. This is why we do this... Next word or phrase: 'Chicago Fire.'

AB (Berry previously player for Major League Soccer Chicago Fire): Firefighter. I've got to explain the story behind it. Let me get the story. For two years, I had to explain to people in airports that I wasn't part of the Chicago Fire Department and I wasn't flying commercially to fight fires. And then the show came on (NBC's "Chicago Fire") and it was even worse. Then they thought were extras on the show all in Chicago Fire (MLS) gear in the airport. At the end of it, I was like,'yes, I'm part of the fire department, yes.'

PB: Next word: 'Philadelphia Union.'

AB (Berry previously played for Philadelphia Union of MLS): Injury.

PB: Injury?

AB: Injuries.

PB: Alright, let's move right along.

(Laughter).

AB: Thanks.