January 17, 2025 • 18 mins
Tony talks with the voice of FC Cincinnati, Tom Gelehrter, to preview the 2025 season for FCC, on ESPN 1530!
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Eastco Subs since e three to sixty of Bout Cincinnati
from Cincinnati spontered in part by Penn Station Eastco Subs
handcrafted hot grilled subs, fresh cut fries and lemonade. It's
all about good taste. Penn Station East Coast Subs order
online today. This is ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports Station.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Welcome back your dreams for your ticket. Wow?
Speaker 3 (00:34):
How about this our three since he three sixty thanks
to Penn Station fitting as we welcome back our friend
of the show you know him as the voice of
FC Cincinnati. Posted an unbelievable photo today at a at
FC Cincinnati headquarters, year ten with FC Cincinnati underway with
(00:56):
our good friend Tom Gallader. Tommy g is joining us
right now, Tommy, Tommy, Tommy, what's going on?
Speaker 4 (01:03):
Welcome back, Welcome back, Welcome back?
Speaker 2 (01:07):
What a song to bring us in?
Speaker 4 (01:09):
Tony, Tony, Tony Man, does it feel good? Twenty five?
I think we're we've arrived now. The vibes have been
missing something. These Fridays two o'clock just haven't been the same.
I agree it there and I feel a little lonely
when I don't have Tony and Austin. In my life,
you're probably unrest already by next week.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
But that's neither here nor there, you know.
Speaker 4 (01:30):
But but man, it feels so good to talk talk
to you guys and and to be out of the facility.
Like you said, it was sun splashed Milford today and
it was it just was, you know, it was good
to be back around the team and just feel some
of that energy.
Speaker 3 (01:44):
Let's uh, let's let's get to the news right away.
They are back, they are practicing. Luciano Acosta is not back.
Heard a little bit from Pat noton about this. Obviously
there's some frustration there. What do we know at this
point at about Luciano Acosta FC Cincinnati.
Speaker 4 (02:04):
Yeah, you know, we kind of know what we heard
from Pat what now two hours ago or.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
So when he met with all of us.
Speaker 4 (02:10):
There's a large media contingent obviously waiting to hear from him,
and you know, he acknowledged the absence of Luco, which
everybody knew about, and then Luca or Ashano who was
not a training yesterday.
Speaker 2 (02:23):
But I just saw literally as I walked in the
door here.
Speaker 4 (02:25):
That uh, you know, within the last hour he has
reported back and will do his medicals this afternoon. That
was reported by Carter Chapley, the guess ce CINCINNTIY staff reporter.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
So that's good news. Uh, Luca is back and has reported.
Speaker 4 (02:37):
But then the one that hadn't been reporting until today
was that Yu Yakubo was out and and certainly you
sensed the frustration from batten in and losing the time
and training with guys who are under contract for the team.
And so I haven't seen anything today on Luca's status.
Tray more rumors out on social media of will he
be reporting, will we be you know, moved in a
(02:58):
transaction somewhere else? But yeah, I think you know, it's
like Pat said, it's just an unfortunate time to be
going through week one of the season, and you know,
guys who are integral parts of your club are not
there and with the group. But you know, Pat was
able to reflect on some of the positives of it all.
(03:20):
And and certainly the Luco piece is one that that
I think needs to be sorted out and hopefully will
be sorted out soon because I think for everybody right
for the club, from the coaches, for Lucco, for whomever
comes in. If if Luco does not return to replace him,
like all those dominoes need a fall place just to
set this team up for success this year.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
What's happening as things get underway? Obviously with the players reporting,
we know what the NFL training camp looks like. But
it's such a long season for for Major league soccer
and it is such a physical and a mental grind.
How important are these days that that will be missed
with what this team does need to accomplish.
Speaker 4 (04:00):
Well, Antonio, that was that was also pass point today
because this is a club that for the second straight year,
is competing in CONCAFT Champions Cup. So there's gonna be
scheduled congestion at the beginning of the year that you
don't have if you're not in that tournament. So you
know that that means you need to have your depth
because you're gonna have to rotate through a little bit
in those first couple of weeks. You know, look in
(04:21):
any sport, you know, if if Joe Burrow misses preseason
training camp, then he's missing time, you know, getting on
the same page with his linemen, with his receivers, with
his tight ends, with his running backs, the whole system.
Then that's those are lost days. And that's what Pat
caught it today. Just missing guys, you know, is lost
days for the group. He said that the guys are
(04:43):
there doing a great job, but but certainly, you know,
tough not having those guys in the mix, especially when
you consider, you know, how important all three of them
were last year.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
What what is one of the main focuses going into
this season, because it felt it was just a weird
sense last year because even as the season finished up,
this team was still right where they needed to be.
They were at the near the top of the Eastern
Conference standings, but it never felt like they were playing
their best soccer down the stretch. It felt like they
(05:15):
peaked just a little bit as the season went on.
How do you go about now adjusting from a training
standpoint for Pat Noonan to get them playing their best
soccer as the season continues on and not having that peak.
Speaker 4 (05:28):
Well, you know, Tony, I think we go back all
the way to that late Saturday night in San Jose
in June and Matt Yazi gets hurt and obviously we
learned after the fact, we knew it was a violent
collision with a goalpost at the time, and that he
was in a very bad way. But we learned after
the fact that he was also the season and you
lost your leader on the back line. You lost, you know,
(05:48):
the reigning defender of the year who was playing really well,
and that that defensive back line was so good at
that time. You lose him, then you always also lose
Miles Robinson to international duty.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Well, that means more minutes for Nick Caglin.
Speaker 4 (06:02):
Then Nick Kaglin has a serious injury and his season
ends for the second consecutive year, and the defense unraveled
a little bit from there, right, They got Chidosio wazihim In,
who has since moved to Colorado, but they got him
in and I thought Chadozi did a fantastic job in
coming in for the final third of the season and
being thrown in the fire and you know, bringing some
stability the back line. They acquired teenage Todaby Laked on
(06:24):
a free transfer and he came in and I thought,
by the playoffs found his rhythm a little bit. And
in the playoffs they started to, you know, get a
little bit there, and the defense was good in the
game they lost, and obviously you're you're a bit unlucky
losing in penalty kicks. So I really think if they
can get the defense back to where they were and
that's really stable, then the other pieces will fall into place. Obviously,
(06:46):
the Lucco piece is big because he's the playmaker. So
if it's Luco, then they have to have Lucco here,
turning with his team and moving in the same direction.
And if it's not Lucco, then it needs to be
somebody else who can step in and fill those you know,
very large shoes that would be left behind if if
Lucia were to move on. But you look christ and
the steph I have known now since the end of
(07:07):
the season that Lucio might be moving on, and I'm
sure that you know they have a plan in place.
Should the domino start to fall, I think things would
move very quickly. But that's you know, speculation on my behalf,
and lots of rumors out there of this, that and
the other thing. But I think, you know, just the
improvement defensively will then set this team up. When the
(07:28):
team was really good and won the Supporter Shoot in
twenty twenty three, the defense was really good.
Speaker 2 (07:32):
Obviously, Matt was Defender of the Year.
Speaker 4 (07:33):
Matt's going to be back and should be full go
at the beginning of the season, which is great news.
Nick will be a little bit behind him.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
You know.
Speaker 4 (07:41):
And then you have Miles Robinson who's out national team
duty right now, but he'll be back and into the
flow of things.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
Teenage a Deby is here training.
Speaker 4 (07:48):
You have Alvis Powell is an option to help out,
you know, in the back of line of DeAndre Vnaback
who didn't go through preseason with the team last year.
So you know, patt acknowledge there's still some pieces that
need to be filled, especially a left wing position, you know,
some depth of striker, another center back probably you know,
any kind of tease today that some of those might
be coming to fruition in the next week or so,
(08:08):
and maybe a little sitterer than that.
Speaker 2 (08:10):
So I think that's.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
Exciting kind of to refresh the social media in the
inbox for me and and kind of wait to see
who these additional pieces will be.
Speaker 3 (08:18):
When you look at the new faces that have come in.
Obviously you mentioned Nick Haglin getting re signed. The roster
we knew from what it was last year. What about
some of those new additions that this team made will
make that immediate impact for Pat Noon in an FC Cincinnati.
Speaker 4 (08:34):
Well, I mean the first and foremost one is the
one that was announced right after the season and it didn't.
Vin Denke right comes over, young striker, has scored a
lot of goals. You know, he on paper, you know,
he checks every box right for what they're trying to do.
And I've seen him train once. That was today for
I don't know, an hour and a half or so,
(08:54):
and man, did he.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
Look the part. His finishing was really good. I think
they's been a lot of.
Speaker 4 (09:00):
Time figuring out and and you know, talking to him
about how in what ways is he most comfortable and
most successful? Right, Like, how can you make Kevin Dank
the most successful striker possible? And I think he can
come into Major League soccer and make a major impact, hopefully,
you know, straight away from the start of the season.
(09:21):
So I think people should be really excited about Kevin
coming in and being that showcase striker and being that
replacement up top that they've needed. Right and then you know,
another player and Pat raid the bottom in pres conference today,
Brian and Nunga and and that's that should be a
very familiar name. Preface sin Semmi fans you talk about,
you know, this being my tent tier. This is the
(09:41):
tenth year at the club. This is a guy that
we've been watching play for basically the last nine years
because he was in the USL when ste since now
he was in the USL, then he went to Nashville
in the USL, he went to MLS with Nashville. He's
a great piece in the midfield that's going to provide
some depths and man, he would look impressive today just
in watching him. Pat said he's had four great days
(10:03):
of practice. I think he said, you know, I haven't
read the transcript afterwards. I believe what Pat said was
that he's been the most consistent, you know, for four
days in training. And so Brian and Nunga comes in
and then there's a youngster now in the mix, and
you know, I was trying to keep an extra eye
on him today in Stefan Cherrilla, who was with the
second team last year and scored a bunch of goals
(10:24):
and was signed on a homegoing contract during the year,
but to be activated here now into this season in
twenty twenty five.
Speaker 2 (10:31):
So he's a first team player now and he's he's the.
Speaker 4 (10:34):
Type of young guy that you know, with a little
bit of growth and being around the first team every day.
He trained with him sometimes last year, but being around
those guys every day could be somebody who starts the
factor in a little bit. So I think there's some
some new faces out on the pitch for people to
be excited about it. I also think that we're gonna see,
like Pat said, probably some more signings, hopefully in the
next week or so.
Speaker 3 (10:57):
Is it too early to start predicting the tea teams
that are going to be front runners that that are
going to be competing for the MLS Cup? Is it
too early in the process because you're looking all of
a sudden on February nineteenth, they're getting underway. On February
twenty second is the first MLS regular season game against
New York. So is it still early in the process
to kind of to view who is going to be
(11:18):
those teams to beat for FC Cincinnati?
Speaker 2 (11:21):
Probably somewhat right.
Speaker 4 (11:25):
I think if you don't think Columbus is going to
be in the mix again, you're kidding yourself right. Well coached,
loads of talent, you know, good good roster, good team.
I mean obviously in her Miami will be in the mix.
They have a lot of world class talent, they have
a new coach, but you know, they're they're obviously hoping
that'll be a seamless transition.
Speaker 2 (11:43):
In bringing him in.
Speaker 4 (11:46):
You know, I think, look, Red Bulls made the great
run and went to MLS Cup final. They have to
reload a couple pieces. They just lost John Tolkien yesterday.
You know, you got to count La Galaxy into the
mix because they were just won MLS Cup and LAFC
is consistently very good out west, you know, and then
I think in the Eastern Conference, it is going to
be really interesting to see how some of the rumored
(12:08):
moves play out. You know, Chicago has been not very
good the last couple of years, but now they have
a new coach in Greg Burholter, and they're trying to
bring in some more players. And you know there's rumors
that you know, Burhlter is in Saudi Arabia right now
working on trying to acquire or convinced or.
Speaker 2 (12:24):
Whatever you want to call it, and bring theymar to Chicago.
Speaker 4 (12:27):
You see the reports that Wilfrid Zaha is in Charlotte
doing medicals today and potentially coming over on loan. I mean,
folks will remember Wilfrid Zaha for when Crystal Palace came
to nippert Ctitium in twenty sixteen. So there's a lot
of these pieces, you.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
Know, that are rumored or that are are coming along.
Speaker 4 (12:45):
There's already been good signings in the league, so you know,
there's every year it feels like there's a team or
two that that sneaked into the mix that you know
is good. Orlando obviously made a run last year and
they had a good season, so I'd be shocked if
they're not in the mix and Eastern Conference again.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
But teams are improving it. Teams are spending money, and
now there's.
Speaker 4 (13:03):
The new rule where for the first time in Major
League Soccer you're allowed to actually buy a player, just
like the international market works. Right in the past, you
either have to make a trade or you have to
acquire somebody using allocation money. Now you can use cash,
and that's going to kind of change things. And you know,
all the national reporters have said, look this loutroal cost
of situation of Vander you know, the very talented attack
(13:25):
him if they are out in Portland is kind of
in a similar situation where he has said he wants
out of Portland.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
Will he be back? Will we not? Nobody really knows that.
Speaker 4 (13:33):
Those two dominoes, what happened to Luca does the day
in Cincinnati? Does he get sold within the league? Does
he go somewhere else? And what happens with the vander
Does he go somewhere in Major League Soccer? Does he
go somewhere else? Those two dominoes will kind of set
up this new market where you can just pay money
and the player gets a tunk of that and it
gets ten present of that fee. So you know, if
you were to sell just for quick mass somebody for
(13:54):
ten million dollars, the players getting a million dollars out
of that. So it's kind of a game changer, you
know for the chief soccer office and gentleal managers and
sure Chris halt Bright and his staff have been staring
at it and looking at it, and it's going to
be a new frontier.
Speaker 2 (14:06):
But no, I think I think there's gonna be a fit.
Speaker 4 (14:10):
A flurry of movement in the next month leading up
to the start of the season that's going to kind
of set up different teams, you know, to be successful.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
And I think I think it's exciting and some of
the players.
Speaker 4 (14:21):
That have been signed already across the league that that'll
be exciting to watch when they come a TQL stadium
or when we travel and see them.
Speaker 2 (14:28):
On the road.
Speaker 3 (14:29):
For you personally, you know, you you put it on
social today, ten years How surreal is that to see
how and where this started and what it is balloon
to now for FC Cincinnati from the Knippert Stadium days,
to the MLS to one of the worst teams to
(14:49):
a Supporter Shield champion, to everything that they've done. How
surreal is it to walk in there for year ten
today of what you've been a part of as well?
Speaker 2 (14:59):
Yeah, I know, it's great question.
Speaker 4 (15:00):
And you know it kind of was like a little
bit of chills when you walk into They had nothing
to do with the temperature. It's just is like, man,
this is year number ten. That's that's pretty darn cool.
And you know, at the end of the year, I
kind of tally up how many games I did in
the year, and I have like a threats you got
just keep track of, So I'll hit three hundred games
eleven games into the season, like that's that's that's that's
pretty great. There's not many people within the organization who've
(15:21):
worked three hundred games, you know, uh, trainers staff, you know,
Jeff Burning's been there probably about three hundred games, and
I think Teddy curt E. Kitman's probably around there somewhere,
you know, and and and myself, I think would probably
be the only people who have worked that many games.
And I think it's uh, you know, what a journey,
what a what a you know, amazing time to see
(15:44):
it all grow from that first game in April of
twenty sixteen in the per Stadium, you know, with thirteen
thousand fans, and it's just growing from there. And you know,
I mentioned that Crystal Palace game, like that's a massive
landmark in this journey. And you're right to get through
the USL, to get the Major League Soccer, that excitement,
to go through a global pandemic, you know, let's not
forget about that open this amazing stadium, you know, down
(16:07):
on the West end in TQL Stadium, and then their
eyes obviously under patting in and it's it's hard in
some way as Pat's probably thinking the same thing, like
this is my fourth season as head coach, right that
that he's been here as long as he as he
is and you know, done the things that he has
and taking Fccincinnty to the playoffs three straight years. But
you know, it's a hungry organization that wants to do
(16:29):
great things. And I think you know, from my understanding,
there'll be there'll be a lot of celebrations and probably
a lot of memories of you know, the previous nine
years and in it being a decade now and now
it's very cool, and.
Speaker 2 (16:42):
Man, am I lucky to be a part of it
through all.
Speaker 3 (16:45):
This awesome stuff? So good to connect leading into what
should be an awesome year for FC Cincinnati. A lot
of things still needing to fall in place. For those listening, Tommy,
what is the easiest way to follow along with your
coverage of FC Cincinnati to keep up with everything that,
as you have mentioned here today, still needs to happen
(17:06):
or can happen with this club.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
Yeah, for sure, you know, and listen.
Speaker 4 (17:10):
I know because I was just chatting with my guy
Gary like half hour ago, right before game on with
you guys, and Gary said he listens to you guys.
Speaker 2 (17:16):
Every single day every day.
Speaker 4 (17:18):
And he said, because I walked in the door to
talk to him about something and he said, Hey, Tony's
just talking about this picture you sent him of training
and how nice it was out of turning today And
I said excuse me, and he said, Tony.
Speaker 2 (17:29):
And you're gonna be on at two o'clock. We were sitting there.
It was one forty five.
Speaker 4 (17:31):
I said, oh, Gary, I gotta go, man, I get
I gotta get on.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
The phone with my guys. So, Gary, hope you're listening.
Speaker 3 (17:38):
Hope you're enjoining the show like every day he said,
he doesn't listen to anybody else.
Speaker 4 (17:44):
Gary, So that is that is awfully loyal.
Speaker 2 (17:47):
But uh, yeah, you could get me on X. I
guess it's called these days.
Speaker 4 (17:51):
Uh Tommy underscore g or on uh on Instagram like
to post them updates there.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
Uh oh three g's.
Speaker 3 (17:58):
I love it. I love it, Tommy, You're the man.
I look forward to talking and catching up very soon.
We appreciate you.
Speaker 2 (18:03):
Let's do it. Let's do it, boys, we are back.
Speaker 4 (18:06):
Our love twenty five usually kicked off now, vibes are high.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
I can't wait to do this all season long.
Speaker 3 (18:12):
Let's go to Tommy.
Speaker 2 (18:14):
Cheers, man boy, cheers, Let's go. I love it.
Speaker 3 (18:17):
That is Tommy g our good friend for FC Cincinnati,
the voice of the Orangeine Blue, Austin. We got some
picks to make when we get back. That's right right
here on the ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports Station and
a service of Penn station.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
Now your chance to win one thousand dollars.
Speaker 4 (18:35):
Enter this station wide keyword on our website.
Speaker 2 (18:38):
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Speaker 5 (18:38):
That's the check, Enter it now. Is it possible to
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Speaker 2 (18:51):
Don't go through another year
Eastco Subs since e three to sixty of Bout Cincinnati
from Cincinnati spontered in part by Penn Station Eastco Subs
handcrafted hot grilled subs, fresh cut fries and lemonade. It's
all about good taste. Penn Station East Coast Subs order
online today. This is ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports Station.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Welcome back your dreams for your ticket. Wow?
Speaker 3 (00:34):
How about this our three since he three sixty thanks
to Penn Station fitting as we welcome back our friend
of the show you know him as the voice of
FC Cincinnati. Posted an unbelievable photo today at a at
FC Cincinnati headquarters, year ten with FC Cincinnati underway with
(00:56):
our good friend Tom Gallader. Tommy g is joining us
right now, Tommy, Tommy, Tommy, what's going on?
Speaker 4 (01:03):
Welcome back, Welcome back, Welcome back?
Speaker 2 (01:07):
What a song to bring us in?
Speaker 4 (01:09):
Tony, Tony, Tony Man, does it feel good? Twenty five?
I think we're we've arrived now. The vibes have been
missing something. These Fridays two o'clock just haven't been the same.
I agree it there and I feel a little lonely
when I don't have Tony and Austin. In my life,
you're probably unrest already by next week.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
But that's neither here nor there, you know.
Speaker 4 (01:30):
But but man, it feels so good to talk talk
to you guys and and to be out of the facility.
Like you said, it was sun splashed Milford today and
it was it just was, you know, it was good
to be back around the team and just feel some
of that energy.
Speaker 3 (01:44):
Let's uh, let's let's get to the news right away.
They are back, they are practicing. Luciano Acosta is not back.
Heard a little bit from Pat noton about this. Obviously
there's some frustration there. What do we know at this
point at about Luciano Acosta FC Cincinnati.
Speaker 4 (02:04):
Yeah, you know, we kind of know what we heard
from Pat what now two hours ago or.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
So when he met with all of us.
Speaker 4 (02:10):
There's a large media contingent obviously waiting to hear from him,
and you know, he acknowledged the absence of Luco, which
everybody knew about, and then Luca or Ashano who was
not a training yesterday.
Speaker 2 (02:23):
But I just saw literally as I walked in the
door here.
Speaker 4 (02:25):
That uh, you know, within the last hour he has
reported back and will do his medicals this afternoon. That
was reported by Carter Chapley, the guess ce CINCINNTIY staff reporter.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
So that's good news. Uh, Luca is back and has reported.
Speaker 4 (02:37):
But then the one that hadn't been reporting until today
was that Yu Yakubo was out and and certainly you
sensed the frustration from batten in and losing the time
and training with guys who are under contract for the team.
And so I haven't seen anything today on Luca's status.
Tray more rumors out on social media of will he
be reporting, will we be you know, moved in a
(02:58):
transaction somewhere else? But yeah, I think you know, it's
like Pat said, it's just an unfortunate time to be
going through week one of the season, and you know,
guys who are integral parts of your club are not
there and with the group. But you know, Pat was
able to reflect on some of the positives of it all.
(03:20):
And and certainly the Luco piece is one that that
I think needs to be sorted out and hopefully will
be sorted out soon because I think for everybody right
for the club, from the coaches, for Lucco, for whomever
comes in. If if Luco does not return to replace him,
like all those dominoes need a fall place just to
set this team up for success this year.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
What's happening as things get underway? Obviously with the players reporting,
we know what the NFL training camp looks like. But
it's such a long season for for Major league soccer
and it is such a physical and a mental grind.
How important are these days that that will be missed
with what this team does need to accomplish.
Speaker 4 (04:00):
Well, Antonio, that was that was also pass point today
because this is a club that for the second straight year,
is competing in CONCAFT Champions Cup. So there's gonna be
scheduled congestion at the beginning of the year that you
don't have if you're not in that tournament. So you
know that that means you need to have your depth
because you're gonna have to rotate through a little bit
in those first couple of weeks. You know, look in
(04:21):
any sport, you know, if if Joe Burrow misses preseason
training camp, then he's missing time, you know, getting on
the same page with his linemen, with his receivers, with
his tight ends, with his running backs, the whole system.
Then that's those are lost days. And that's what Pat
caught it today. Just missing guys, you know, is lost
days for the group. He said that the guys are
(04:43):
there doing a great job, but but certainly, you know,
tough not having those guys in the mix, especially when
you consider, you know, how important all three of them
were last year.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
What what is one of the main focuses going into
this season, because it felt it was just a weird
sense last year because even as the season finished up,
this team was still right where they needed to be.
They were at the near the top of the Eastern
Conference standings, but it never felt like they were playing
their best soccer down the stretch. It felt like they
(05:15):
peaked just a little bit as the season went on.
How do you go about now adjusting from a training
standpoint for Pat Noonan to get them playing their best
soccer as the season continues on and not having that peak.
Speaker 4 (05:28):
Well, you know, Tony, I think we go back all
the way to that late Saturday night in San Jose
in June and Matt Yazi gets hurt and obviously we
learned after the fact, we knew it was a violent
collision with a goalpost at the time, and that he
was in a very bad way. But we learned after
the fact that he was also the season and you
lost your leader on the back line. You lost, you know,
(05:48):
the reigning defender of the year who was playing really well,
and that that defensive back line was so good at
that time. You lose him, then you always also lose
Miles Robinson to international duty.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Well, that means more minutes for Nick Caglin.
Speaker 4 (06:02):
Then Nick Kaglin has a serious injury and his season
ends for the second consecutive year, and the defense unraveled
a little bit from there, right, They got Chidosio wazihim In,
who has since moved to Colorado, but they got him
in and I thought Chadozi did a fantastic job in
coming in for the final third of the season and
being thrown in the fire and you know, bringing some
stability the back line. They acquired teenage Todaby Laked on
(06:24):
a free transfer and he came in and I thought,
by the playoffs found his rhythm a little bit. And
in the playoffs they started to, you know, get a
little bit there, and the defense was good in the
game they lost, and obviously you're you're a bit unlucky
losing in penalty kicks. So I really think if they
can get the defense back to where they were and
that's really stable, then the other pieces will fall into place. Obviously,
(06:46):
the Lucco piece is big because he's the playmaker. So
if it's Luco, then they have to have Lucco here,
turning with his team and moving in the same direction.
And if it's not Lucco, then it needs to be
somebody else who can step in and fill those you know,
very large shoes that would be left behind if if
Lucia were to move on. But you look christ and
the steph I have known now since the end of
(07:07):
the season that Lucio might be moving on, and I'm
sure that you know they have a plan in place.
Should the domino start to fall, I think things would
move very quickly. But that's you know, speculation on my behalf,
and lots of rumors out there of this, that and
the other thing. But I think, you know, just the
improvement defensively will then set this team up. When the
(07:28):
team was really good and won the Supporter Shoot in
twenty twenty three, the defense was really good.
Speaker 2 (07:32):
Obviously, Matt was Defender of the Year.
Speaker 4 (07:33):
Matt's going to be back and should be full go
at the beginning of the season, which is great news.
Nick will be a little bit behind him.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
You know.
Speaker 4 (07:41):
And then you have Miles Robinson who's out national team
duty right now, but he'll be back and into the
flow of things.
Speaker 2 (07:45):
Teenage a Deby is here training.
Speaker 4 (07:48):
You have Alvis Powell is an option to help out,
you know, in the back of line of DeAndre Vnaback
who didn't go through preseason with the team last year.
So you know, patt acknowledge there's still some pieces that
need to be filled, especially a left wing position, you know,
some depth of striker, another center back probably you know,
any kind of tease today that some of those might
be coming to fruition in the next week or so,
(08:08):
and maybe a little sitterer than that.
Speaker 2 (08:10):
So I think that's.
Speaker 4 (08:10):
Exciting kind of to refresh the social media in the
inbox for me and and kind of wait to see
who these additional pieces will be.
Speaker 3 (08:18):
When you look at the new faces that have come in.
Obviously you mentioned Nick Haglin getting re signed. The roster
we knew from what it was last year. What about
some of those new additions that this team made will
make that immediate impact for Pat Noon in an FC Cincinnati.
Speaker 4 (08:34):
Well, I mean the first and foremost one is the
one that was announced right after the season and it didn't.
Vin Denke right comes over, young striker, has scored a
lot of goals. You know, he on paper, you know,
he checks every box right for what they're trying to do.
And I've seen him train once. That was today for
I don't know, an hour and a half or so,
(08:54):
and man, did he.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
Look the part. His finishing was really good. I think
they's been a lot of.
Speaker 4 (09:00):
Time figuring out and and you know, talking to him
about how in what ways is he most comfortable and
most successful? Right, Like, how can you make Kevin Dank
the most successful striker possible? And I think he can
come into Major League soccer and make a major impact, hopefully,
you know, straight away from the start of the season.
(09:21):
So I think people should be really excited about Kevin
coming in and being that showcase striker and being that
replacement up top that they've needed. Right and then you know,
another player and Pat raid the bottom in pres conference today,
Brian and Nunga and and that's that should be a
very familiar name. Preface sin Semmi fans you talk about,
you know, this being my tent tier. This is the
(09:41):
tenth year at the club. This is a guy that
we've been watching play for basically the last nine years
because he was in the USL when ste since now
he was in the USL, then he went to Nashville
in the USL, he went to MLS with Nashville. He's
a great piece in the midfield that's going to provide
some depths and man, he would look impressive today just
in watching him. Pat said he's had four great days
(10:03):
of practice. I think he said, you know, I haven't
read the transcript afterwards. I believe what Pat said was
that he's been the most consistent, you know, for four
days in training. And so Brian and Nunga comes in
and then there's a youngster now in the mix, and
you know, I was trying to keep an extra eye
on him today in Stefan Cherrilla, who was with the
second team last year and scored a bunch of goals
(10:24):
and was signed on a homegoing contract during the year,
but to be activated here now into this season in
twenty twenty five.
Speaker 2 (10:31):
So he's a first team player now and he's he's the.
Speaker 4 (10:34):
Type of young guy that you know, with a little
bit of growth and being around the first team every day.
He trained with him sometimes last year, but being around
those guys every day could be somebody who starts the
factor in a little bit. So I think there's some
some new faces out on the pitch for people to
be excited about it. I also think that we're gonna see,
like Pat said, probably some more signings, hopefully in the
next week or so.
Speaker 3 (10:57):
Is it too early to start predicting the tea teams
that are going to be front runners that that are
going to be competing for the MLS Cup? Is it
too early in the process because you're looking all of
a sudden on February nineteenth, they're getting underway. On February
twenty second is the first MLS regular season game against
New York. So is it still early in the process
to kind of to view who is going to be
(11:18):
those teams to beat for FC Cincinnati?
Speaker 2 (11:21):
Probably somewhat right.
Speaker 4 (11:25):
I think if you don't think Columbus is going to
be in the mix again, you're kidding yourself right. Well coached,
loads of talent, you know, good good roster, good team.
I mean obviously in her Miami will be in the mix.
They have a lot of world class talent, they have
a new coach, but you know, they're they're obviously hoping
that'll be a seamless transition.
Speaker 2 (11:43):
In bringing him in.
Speaker 4 (11:46):
You know, I think, look, Red Bulls made the great
run and went to MLS Cup final. They have to
reload a couple pieces. They just lost John Tolkien yesterday.
You know, you got to count La Galaxy into the
mix because they were just won MLS Cup and LAFC
is consistently very good out west, you know, and then
I think in the Eastern Conference, it is going to
be really interesting to see how some of the rumored
(12:08):
moves play out. You know, Chicago has been not very
good the last couple of years, but now they have
a new coach in Greg Burholter, and they're trying to
bring in some more players. And you know there's rumors
that you know, Burhlter is in Saudi Arabia right now
working on trying to acquire or convinced or.
Speaker 2 (12:24):
Whatever you want to call it, and bring theymar to Chicago.
Speaker 4 (12:27):
You see the reports that Wilfrid Zaha is in Charlotte
doing medicals today and potentially coming over on loan. I mean,
folks will remember Wilfrid Zaha for when Crystal Palace came
to nippert Ctitium in twenty sixteen. So there's a lot
of these pieces, you.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
Know, that are rumored or that are are coming along.
Speaker 4 (12:45):
There's already been good signings in the league, so you know,
there's every year it feels like there's a team or
two that that sneaked into the mix that you know
is good. Orlando obviously made a run last year and
they had a good season, so I'd be shocked if
they're not in the mix and Eastern Conference again.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
But teams are improving it. Teams are spending money, and
now there's.
Speaker 4 (13:03):
The new rule where for the first time in Major
League Soccer you're allowed to actually buy a player, just
like the international market works. Right in the past, you
either have to make a trade or you have to
acquire somebody using allocation money. Now you can use cash,
and that's going to kind of change things. And you know,
all the national reporters have said, look this loutroal cost
of situation of Vander you know, the very talented attack
(13:25):
him if they are out in Portland is kind of
in a similar situation where he has said he wants
out of Portland.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
Will he be back? Will we not? Nobody really knows that.
Speaker 4 (13:33):
Those two dominoes, what happened to Luca does the day
in Cincinnati? Does he get sold within the league? Does
he go somewhere else? And what happens with the vander
Does he go somewhere in Major League Soccer? Does he
go somewhere else? Those two dominoes will kind of set
up this new market where you can just pay money
and the player gets a tunk of that and it
gets ten present of that fee. So you know, if
you were to sell just for quick mass somebody for
(13:54):
ten million dollars, the players getting a million dollars out
of that. So it's kind of a game changer, you
know for the chief soccer office and gentleal managers and
sure Chris halt Bright and his staff have been staring
at it and looking at it, and it's going to
be a new frontier.
Speaker 2 (14:06):
But no, I think I think there's gonna be a fit.
Speaker 4 (14:10):
A flurry of movement in the next month leading up
to the start of the season that's going to kind
of set up different teams, you know, to be successful.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
And I think I think it's exciting and some of
the players.
Speaker 4 (14:21):
That have been signed already across the league that that'll
be exciting to watch when they come a TQL stadium
or when we travel and see them.
Speaker 2 (14:28):
On the road.
Speaker 3 (14:29):
For you personally, you know, you you put it on
social today, ten years How surreal is that to see
how and where this started and what it is balloon
to now for FC Cincinnati from the Knippert Stadium days,
to the MLS to one of the worst teams to
(14:49):
a Supporter Shield champion, to everything that they've done. How
surreal is it to walk in there for year ten
today of what you've been a part of as well?
Speaker 2 (14:59):
Yeah, I know, it's great question.
Speaker 4 (15:00):
And you know it kind of was like a little
bit of chills when you walk into They had nothing
to do with the temperature. It's just is like, man,
this is year number ten. That's that's pretty darn cool.
And you know, at the end of the year, I
kind of tally up how many games I did in
the year, and I have like a threats you got
just keep track of, So I'll hit three hundred games
eleven games into the season, like that's that's that's that's
pretty great. There's not many people within the organization who've
(15:21):
worked three hundred games, you know, uh, trainers staff, you know,
Jeff Burning's been there probably about three hundred games, and
I think Teddy curt E. Kitman's probably around there somewhere,
you know, and and and myself, I think would probably
be the only people who have worked that many games.
And I think it's uh, you know, what a journey,
what a what a you know, amazing time to see
(15:44):
it all grow from that first game in April of
twenty sixteen in the per Stadium, you know, with thirteen
thousand fans, and it's just growing from there. And you know,
I mentioned that Crystal Palace game, like that's a massive
landmark in this journey. And you're right to get through
the USL, to get the Major League Soccer, that excitement,
to go through a global pandemic, you know, let's not
forget about that open this amazing stadium, you know, down
(16:07):
on the West end in TQL Stadium, and then their
eyes obviously under patting in and it's it's hard in
some way as Pat's probably thinking the same thing, like
this is my fourth season as head coach, right that
that he's been here as long as he as he
is and you know, done the things that he has
and taking Fccincinnty to the playoffs three straight years. But
you know, it's a hungry organization that wants to do
(16:29):
great things. And I think you know, from my understanding,
there'll be there'll be a lot of celebrations and probably
a lot of memories of you know, the previous nine
years and in it being a decade now and now
it's very cool, and.
Speaker 2 (16:42):
Man, am I lucky to be a part of it
through all.
Speaker 3 (16:45):
This awesome stuff? So good to connect leading into what
should be an awesome year for FC Cincinnati. A lot
of things still needing to fall in place. For those listening, Tommy,
what is the easiest way to follow along with your
coverage of FC Cincinnati to keep up with everything that,
as you have mentioned here today, still needs to happen
(17:06):
or can happen with this club.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
Yeah, for sure, you know, and listen.
Speaker 4 (17:10):
I know because I was just chatting with my guy
Gary like half hour ago, right before game on with
you guys, and Gary said he listens to you guys.
Speaker 2 (17:16):
Every single day every day.
Speaker 4 (17:18):
And he said, because I walked in the door to
talk to him about something and he said, Hey, Tony's
just talking about this picture you sent him of training
and how nice it was out of turning today And
I said excuse me, and he said, Tony.
Speaker 2 (17:29):
And you're gonna be on at two o'clock. We were sitting there.
It was one forty five.
Speaker 4 (17:31):
I said, oh, Gary, I gotta go, man, I get
I gotta get on.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
The phone with my guys. So, Gary, hope you're listening.
Speaker 3 (17:38):
Hope you're enjoining the show like every day he said,
he doesn't listen to anybody else.
Speaker 4 (17:44):
Gary, So that is that is awfully loyal.
Speaker 2 (17:47):
But uh, yeah, you could get me on X. I
guess it's called these days.
Speaker 4 (17:51):
Uh Tommy underscore g or on uh on Instagram like
to post them updates there.
Speaker 2 (17:56):
Uh oh three g's.
Speaker 3 (17:58):
I love it. I love it, Tommy, You're the man.
I look forward to talking and catching up very soon.
We appreciate you.
Speaker 2 (18:03):
Let's do it. Let's do it, boys, we are back.
Speaker 4 (18:06):
Our love twenty five usually kicked off now, vibes are high.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
I can't wait to do this all season long.
Speaker 3 (18:12):
Let's go to Tommy.
Speaker 2 (18:14):
Cheers, man boy, cheers, Let's go. I love it.
Speaker 3 (18:17):
That is Tommy g our good friend for FC Cincinnati,
the voice of the Orangeine Blue, Austin. We got some
picks to make when we get back. That's right right
here on the ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports Station and
a service of Penn station.
Speaker 2 (18:32):
Now your chance to win one thousand dollars.
Speaker 4 (18:35):
Enter this station wide keyword on our website.
Speaker 2 (18:38):
Check.
Speaker 5 (18:38):
That's the check, Enter it now. Is it possible to
fill your green with enough sport to actually cause your
head to explode? Moegar today at three oh five on
ESPN fifteen thirty Incinnati Sports Station.
Speaker 2 (18:51):
Don't go through another year
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