FC Cincinnati 2 Has Found Its Form, Ty Marshall Believes Squad Leadership Was the First Step to Success

September 26, 2024 – MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
FC Cincinnati 2 News Release

It’s Sunday, September 24, 2023. FC Cincinnati 2 has just lost to Orlando City B 2-1 in Florida to end the regular season. The Orange and Blue had dropped the final five matches of the year to end its second season in MLS NEXT Pro, and while they had avoided finishing last, they were well off reaching their goal of the playoff line.

Meanwhile, just less than one week later, FC Cincinnati (the first team) jetted up to Toronto and secured the 2023 Supporters’ Shield. An organizational success and celebration. The second team tangentially played a role in that trophy win. But in terms of on the field success of their own, the second team left that Florida field wanting more, and heading into an offseason needing more.

Over the next five months, the FC Cincinnati front office brain trust (but particularly Director of Player Pathway Jeff Larentowicz) retooled the FCC 2 squad with new talent and fresh blood with the intention of building a team that could compete. And now they have not only clinched a playoff spot in the MLS NEXT Pro playoffs, but could clinch a regular season Eastern Conference title.

Between the MLS SuperDraft, signing free agents from around the league and college ranks FCC 2 brought in twelve new players (in addition to notable academy pieces) to the fold and put an emphasis on character, leadership and commitment to winning when doing so.

“I think the biggest difference is the players for sure, but it’s not about quality of player,” FC Cincinnati 2 Head Coach Tyrone Marshall told FCCincinnati.com in an exclusive interview after clinching the playoffs.

Marshall met with me in his office at Mercy Health Training Center in a new, expanded part of the building designed for the second team and academy, another example of the club’s continued investment in its player development pipeline. Marshall’s office looks much like the other offices in MHTC – a white board with formations and notes about players, a corkboard with sticky notes and index cards, a desk with his personal effects. But stapled right within the coach’s eye line above his computer is a picture with the MLS NEXT Pro Cup photoshopped into TQL Stadium. A reminder of the goal he and the team set out for at the start of the season.

“We got some new quality players in the squad,” Marshall continued. “But it’s more that we got players who are a bit more mature and really prioritized people who are leaders in their…