FC Cincinnati Will Have To Make Moves During This Transfer Window

Chris Albright and Pat Noonan are going to have to make a lot of decisions before this transfer deadline ends as in the midst of a playoff race, reinforcements are needed. Defense is sorely needed and bringing in center back Julian Malatini definitely helps. However, Malatini's acquisition is not enough as more players on defense is needed.

Let's be real, Matt Miazga and Kyle Smith aren't getting any younger, plus Nick Hagglund is a subpar player at this point. Miles Robinson has been lackluster in which might turn out to be a bad contract for the club. While there are options like Alvas Powell, Ayoub Lajhar, and Andrei Chirila, another centerback is desperately needed. Teenage Hadebe isn't quite the same player he used to be either. Malatini is very talented and was even included in Werder Bremen's squad (didn't get in the match) this past Saturday, so a move like this is much needed. But more additions have to happen here.

The team also needs more attacking depth. Sure, there is already a lot as is, but more depth surely helps in this league. Major League Soccer doesn't exactly have the best defending in the world, so applying more pressure with more attacking players is only going to help their chances. Bryan Ramirez and Kristian Fletcher haven't been what was hoped of them, plus Kevin Denkey suddenly has lost his form and he has been the biggest source of goals this season. Evander is shouldering the load, but even he can't keep doing this throughout the rest of the 2026 campaign. Kenji Mboma Dem has been a nice surprise too, but again, he isn't the main source of goals and can't be relied upon too much when Denkey is struggling. Dado Valenzuela and Pavel Bucha also haven't been in their best form either, so another option or two would be greatly helpful.

Then, two more midfielders would be needed too. A defensive midfielder would be great as Obinna Nwobodo has been logging in a lot of minutes as he is the only one on the squad who plays that position. Another central midfielder would make sense too as someone who can cover on defense or press forward in the attack. It just gives Noonan more depth and options to use when going through the grind of the season.

The club is in sixth place in the Eastern conference, so it's more than likely they make the playoffs. But where FC Cincinnati finishes is the bigger question. The team is lacking something right now and wouldn't make a deep run in the postseason if it began today. That lackluster performance against Nashville was pitiful to watch as it was an absolute drubbing. If FC Cincinnati want to compete for an MLS Cup championship, especially against Nashville, then they need reinforcements badly. The lack of urgency is what is even more frustrating as a lot of moves are needed and with little time left to go, plus no additions have happened during the window. All this could be moot by the end of the day, but if the team flames out early in the playoffs, then everyone will know why.