FC Cincinnati preseason friendlies include Malmö FF, Montreal Impact, Chicago Fire, others

Pat Brennan | Cincinnati Enquirer

Show Caption Hide Caption Alan Koch discusses FC Cincinnati's 2018-19 offseason FC Cincinnati head coach Alan Koch discussed with media aspects of the club's offseason strategy, along with how he hopes to build the club's first MLS team.

It's back to Bradenton, Florida for FC Cincinnati this spring.

And then Charleston, South Carolina after that.

FC Cincinnati announced Thursday afternoon the club will begin its preseason camp at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida for 15 days and continue preseason preparations at the Charleston Challenge Cup for 11 days.

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The club is set to spend 15 days at the Floridian training complex and play multiple friendlies there, including matches against Major League Soccer sides Montreal Impact (Jan. 30) and Colorado Rapids (Feb. 2).

Cincinnati will also battle Allsvenskan (Sweden) and current UEFA Europa League side, Malmö FF on Feb. 7. That match will likely be the highlight of the team's preseason slate of matches.

After a four-day sojourn in the Queen City that will also see the club take a day trip to Indianapolis for a scrimmage against Indy Eleven Feb. 12, the team will go back on the road Feb. 14.

The club will then travel to Charleston for the Charleston Challenge Cup, which will include matches against the Charleston Battery (Feb. 16), and MLS’ Chicago Fire (Feb. 20). The opponent for the third match will be announced at a later date.

FC Cincinnati will return home Feb. 24 for the start of the season.

Key offseason and preseason dates:

• Nov. 26 – Option-exercise deadline: Clubs no longer competing in MLS Cup playoffs must notify league office of players whose options they are exercising and players receiving bona fide offers.

• Nov. 30 – Option-exercise deadline for teams not competing in MLS Cup final.

• Dec. 7-9 – NCAA College Cup (Santa Barbara, California).

• Dec. 9 (9 a.m.-1 p.m.) – Half-day trade window: Four-hour window to sign and trade players from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Rosters will then freeze for FC Cincinnati's expansion draft as of 1 p.m.

• Dec. 9 (noon) – Option-exercise deadline for MLS Cup finalists.

• Dec. 11 (2 p.m.) – FC Cincinnati expansion draft.

• Dec. 11 (3 p.m.) – Free agency begins.

• Dec. 12 – MLS waiver draft.

• Dec. 14 – MLS stage one waiver draft.

• Dec. 20 – MLS stage two waiver draft.

• Jan. 3-9 – MLS draft combine (Orlando).

• Jan. 11 – MLS SuperDraft (Chicago).

• TBA (mid-January) – Players report to Cincinnati.

• Jan. 26 – Depart for IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla.

• Jan. 30 – 7 p.m. vs. Montreal Impact (IMG Academy).

• Feb. 2 – 2 p.m. vs. Colorado Rapids (IMG Academy).

• Feb. 7 – 7 p.m. vs. Malmö FF (IMG Academy).

• Feb. 9 – Return to Cincinnati.

• Feb. 12 – at Indy Eleven (Westfield, Ind.).

– Feb. 14 through Feb. 24: Charleston, S.C.

• Feb. 14 – Depart for Charleston, S.C.

• Feb. 16 – 7:30 p.m. vs. Charleston Battery (MUSC Stadium).

• Feb. 20 – 7:30 p.m. vs. Chicago Fire (MUSC Stadium).

• Feb. 23 – 5 p.m. vs. TBA (MUSC Stadium).

• Feb. 24 – Return to Cincinnati.