To say last season was bad in their first year of Major League Soccer is an understatement, but the only way for this club to go is up. General Manager Gerard Nijkamp was tasked this offseason to reconstruct a roster into a more competitive squad. With that in mind, here are the players Nijkamp has brought in for 2020.
Brandon Vazquez
Vazquez was acquired from Nashville SC, who had selected him in the expansion draft from Atlanta United. This move was a low risk, high reward type of deal as Vazquez could be an up and coming player as he is only 21. He was only acquired for allocation money, but this has all the makings for a win for FC Cincinnati. Vazquez might likely get playing time coming in as a substitute and that all might depend on the game situation. He also has an MLS Cup Championship in his belt as he helped the team win in 2018. With Atlanta, he has made 32 appearances netting three goals. In 11 appearances last season, he was able to lock down seven starts. Another interesting tidbit about Vazquez is that in seven appearances in the US Open Cup, he has netted six goals. The potential is there and the hope is that it could benefit the club.
Yuya Kubo
One of the biggest transfers for FC Cincinnati is Kubo who is a designated player that is coming over from KAA Gent. He will be the first ever designated player in the MLS from Japan. Kubo had been playing for Gent since 2017 and in 73 matches played, he had scored 25 goals with six assists and had 57 starts. However, some question the move a bit as on a loan in 2018/19 to Bundesliga club FC Nurnberg, in 23 appearances, Kubo only managed to score one goal. Kubo provides a lot of versatility as he might predominantly play as a forward, he can play out on either the left or right wings. How he will be used remains to be seen, but he looks to be someone the club will rely on in scoring. He's only 26, so he could be a player who breaks out.
Haris Medunjanin
FC Cincinnati held the first pick of the 2019 MLS Waiver Draft and with the selection, the club selected midfielder Haris Medunjanin who had been with the Philadelphia Union. Medunjanin is 34 years old, but he should make the midfield much better and gives them more depth. In 98 appearances for the Union since 2017 with 97 of them being starts. In those matches, Medunjanin has scored five goals, but has racked up an incredible 29 assists. He is a very experienced player who should help the club get better as he has played internationally for Bosnia and Herzegovina, including at the 2014 World Cup, but he also has played in more than 400 matches across five different countries having racked up more than 50 goals and 50 assists during that time. Since joining the MLS, Medunjanin has led the league in passes, passes completed, passes in opponents half, and completed passes in opponents half. He has also completed 84.9 passes and 80 in his opponents half. That suggests the ball distribution will be helped a lot for FC Cincinnati and making them better on offense.
Siem de Jong
The 31 year old midfielder made the move to FC Cincinnati on a free transfer from Dutch league Eredivisie side Ajax. He had helped Ajax win four Eredivisie titles and was a consistent force for them. What de Jong provides is being a playmaker and will fit in well to the formation. The hope is that he can also provide some leadership for youngster Frankie Amaya in hopes that Amaya can become that creative player. He might be a key player for the FC Cincinnati.
Adrien Regattin
Regattin is a 28 year midfielder who should help the attack for FC Cincinnati a lot. He's coming over as a designated player signing. The Moroccan had been playing in Turkey, but he had spent some time in France. He is a dual citizen of Morocco and France. Regattin will seemingly play as a central attacking midfield, but his flexibility can play on the left and right side as well. It will be interesting to see how he will be utilized.
Saad Abdul-Salaam
Defense was clearly an issue for FC Cincinnati last season, so they went out and got some help on the backline. The team picked up Abdul-Salaam in the re-entry draft. There was needed help at right back and he is added depth. He also helped Seattle to a championship last season. A player with winning pedigree is something the club needs.
Tom Pettersson
Pettersson was another free transfer as he is a 29 year old Swedish player and will be an international slot player. The center back was brought in the hopes of bringing more depth and better quality on the backline and Pettersson provides that. His experience and quality makes this team much better.
Bobby Edwards
Edwards will serve as depth and the third goalkeeper for FC Cincinnati. Edwards had been playing in Northern Ireland for Portadown FC. He is 6'6" so he certainly brings size and that could come useful for the club if injuries do occur.
Jurgen Locadia
Locadia comes over on a loan from Brighton & Hove Albion and probably is their most exciting transfer. He takes up an international spot and will take the highly coveted number 10 jersey. FC Cincinnati needed an established goal scorer and got one in Locadia. He should be a huge boost offensively.
Kamohelo Mokotjo
Mokotjo comes over from Brentford as the South African fills an international spot. The midfielder will likely take over the defensive midfield spot that was vacated by Fatai Alashe who left for Columbus via a trade. The hope is that he fits into the system well and becomes a vital piece to the club's success in the future.
Zico Bailey
Bailey is another right back that the team has brought on as for depth in hopes of improving a terrible backline from 2019. Bailey was acquired in a trade with LA Galaxy for a fourth round draft pick. Bailey is only 19, so he is very young, but the club hopes that he could develop into a quality player.
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