The newcomers to the MLS league, FC Cincinnati have appointed Alan Koch to lead them through their first season. But even before the season starts, it’s clear they will not have an easy time. Looking at their schedule, Cincinnati will face off against one of the strongest MLS teams in their opening 10 games. In fact, Cincinnati will have to play against 8 2018 MLS Cup playoff sides in their opening 10 games. The schedule is simply brutal, but if they manage to come out of it with a relatively good record, which means at least 12 points out of the 10 games. This is a reasonable goal for any team that finds themselves playoffs worthy in my opinion.
Head Coach: Alan Koch
Former professional player and coach, Alan Koch will take over the FC Cincinnati team for the upcoming 2019 season. IN his coaching career, Koch was an assistant with Midwestern State University, head coach for Baker University, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (women), Simon Fraser University, Whitecaps FC 2 and most recently for FC Cincinnati (USL). While coaching in the USL, Koch got his team to the USL Conference finals in 2016, 2018 USL Regular Season Champions and won the 2018 USL Coach of the Year award.
Expectations for the 2019 season
There is always something magical when a new team comes in the league, and this season the buzz will be around FC Cincinnati. The former newcomers to the MLS; Seattle Sounders, Atlanta United and LAFC have all set the bar high for all newcomers so it’s only normal all eyes will be on FC Cincinnati to perform just as well, if not better than their “predecessors”.
Looking at their assembled team, FC Cincinnati looks like a strong defensive team, which will lack some options in the offensive end. While it’s hard to predict where Cincinnati will end up, I am excited to see the new rivalry between FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew form, which only makes the league that much more interesting.
