As transfer window closes, FC Cincinnati roster likely to see more changes

Pat Brennan | Cincinnati Enquirer

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.

There's a chance Futbol Club Cincinnati could make further additions to solidify its roster before the ongoing Major League Soccer secondary transfer window closes at 12:59 a.m. Thursday.

"We're always talking to see what we can add," FC Cincinnati head coach Alan Koch told The Enquirer following a Tuesday training session at Nippert Stadium.

However, FC Cincinnati's covered a lot of ground already this window. The club's ranks were fortified with three undeniably big additions last week, including MLS Designated Player and former Portland Timbers FC forward Fanendo Adi, Fatai Alashe of the San Jose Earthquakes, and Pa Konate, formerly of Serie A side SPAL.

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

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MLS All-Stars react to FC Cincinnati acquiring Fanendo Adi Following the 2018 MLS All-Star Game, multiple players reacting to United Soccer League side FC Cincinnati's acquisition of noted MLS goalscorer, Fanendo Adi.

What appears to be most pressing as the transfer window's expiration nears, Koch indicated, is doing right by the existing players with aspirations of playing time that may not be realized in Cincinnati.

Koch said Tuesday that he and Technical Director Luke Sassano would likely use the balance of the transfer window trying to find good situations for players that have asked to be moved or have faded from the competition for minutes with the United Soccer League-leading club.

"We also have a couple meetings with individual players this afternoon to try and find the right solution for them. We're very transparent with players. If you're not going to play with us because of healthy competition, we'll let you know," Koch said. "If we can find a better solution for you, we will. As much as last week was hectic, we'll have to see. I'd prefer not to add any more players, to be honest, because we're happy with the group that we have."

As FC Cincinnati makes the turn into the homestretch of the USL regular season and toward the USL Cup playoffs, the club's roster has seen a certain amount of separation as regular starting and substitutes roles have been defined to some extent.

To be sure, competition in training for playing time in matches remains intense, but some players have clearly moved out of the club's plans.

One player – Daniel Haber – left early in the transfer window: Haber joined Ottawa Fury FC on a free transfer in July.

Others players – take left-back Blake Smith for example – have fully embraced the competition to be part of FC Cincinnati's future.

Smith, who has started in all 19 games he's played in, appears eager to defend his place in the team as evidenced by his most recent outing Saturday.

Smith will be challenged for playing time by Konate but was lively and effective in the club's 1-1 draw with Nashville SC – Smith's first match since Konate's arrival.

Similar competitions exist at other positions, too, including the defensive midfield and forward positions.

There's also another class of player in the mix: Those that are comfortable with limited roles but want to be a part of FC Cincinnati's ride into the postseason, as Koch has described in recent weeks.

Still, the possibility of roster moves through early Thursday morning appears likely.

Asked if Tuesday's training session was the last for some members of the team, Koch said, "Yeah, there might be."

One of the challenges about the dwindling time remaining this transfer window is that Koch and Sassano are looking for a reasonable solution for each player that might need a move elsewhere.

It's a thoughtful, purposeful process intended to send the players off on a good note.

"We're going to have some good meetings this afternoon with a couple players," Koch said. "You want to make sure you set them up for success. We say that to everyone in our group: We want to set you up for success. The best way to set a player up for success is to give them opportunities to play and if you don't feel like you can do that at a certain point in the season, you should be honest. You should be transparent, and then we'll go find out what the best situation is."