Opportunities for Young Players to Prove Their Mettle Motivates in Preseason Training

January 29, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – FC Cincinnati News Release

The only thing that stays the same is that change is inevitable. In professional sports, roster turnover is an unavoidable beast. For FC Cincinnati, that is no different. It’s as a part of the business and culture game as kickoffs and throw-ins are.

The wrinkle, or uniqueness, presented to The Orange and Blue this season is the timeline of events that define their challenges. A short offseason makes it more difficult to adapt to the inevitable changes. With preseason camp opening just over a month after the end of FCC’s season, change came hard and fast.

While general manager Chris Albright and the braintrust of decision-makers have made and continue to make adjustments to the roster, including the signing of premier MLS free agents like Miles Robinson from Atlanta United FC and Corey Baird from Houston Dynamo FC, work continues to be done to augment the 2023 MLS Supporters’ Shield champions to compete now and in the future.

In the meantime, with the aforementioned work still being done, opportunity presents itself to the younger players on the roster who remain in the wake of departing mainstays. For example, with players like Brandon Vazquez sold to CF Monterrey in the offseason, Dominique Badji departing for a deal in Turkey, and others like Santiago Arias, Junior Moreno and Ray Gaddis out of contract and not currently part of this year’s preseason, there are opportunities to impress the coaching staff with five regular contributors to the matchday lineup out of the picture.

Part of that opportunity is the daily training sessions that FC Cincinnati holds and the instructional meetings they have in their home base in Clearwater, Florida. But the preseason friendlies, of which FCC will play four, are a more direct way to show their skills and try to impress the coaching staff against a opposing club.

Consistent performance in training is likely the best way for younger players to make an impression as it is the more frequent opportunity. Preseason friendlies, of which FCC will play four, are another chance to show their skills and stand out to the coaching staff.

During The Orange and Blue’s first friendly in Tampa Bay last Friday, head coach Pat Noonan and his staff made sure everyone got an opportunity to hit the pitch. All but three members (all of which were held out for either injury or precautions of injury) of the preseason roster played against Austin FC, with a full…