It wasn't lost on anyone at the Mercy Health Training Center that the first FC Cincinnati match with new general manager Chris Albright in charge will see Albright's new club face his former one, the Philadelphia Union.
On its face, that circumstance would seem to benefit FC Cincinnati. That the Union are without several key players due to international fixtures and FIFA World Cup qualifying would also seem to play to FCC's advantage.
Who better than Albright, one of the chief architects of the recent and best Union teams ever assembled, to lean on for insights on what the personnel changes could look like, and how the visitors will play.
It remains to be seen how much Albright will contribute, though, and the reality is bottom-of-the-table FC Cincinnati will still have its collective hands full when the clubs meet Saturday at TQL Stadium for their scheduled 8 p.m. kickoff.
FC Cincinnati has issues of its own to contend with anyway, including guarding against the temptation to prioritize individual aims over the collective good, something interim head coach Tyrone Marshall has alluded to several times recently.
More:GM Chris Albright to emphasize MLS experience in FC Cincinnati head coaching search
Marshall acknowledged during a Friday interview players must now look to impress their new GM while also playing within the team concept, but that Albright's presence has been a net positive in the midst of that balancing act.
"Especially now toward the end of the season with everything that's going on, (Albright) can give a little more of a bump to the training, or an 'umph' to the training," Marshall said. "Now guys are seeing that there's someone in place who's going to make a decision on their contract moving forward, so overall I think it's gonna be good."
Marshall gave no indication individual selfishness had crept into his team. It's just a simple truth that the business aspect of the game could tempt some to heighten their self-interest, especially considering FC Cincinnati long ago fell off the pace in the race for the playoff positions.
Cincinnati (4-15-8) entered the Philadelphia match on 20 points in the standings, which is half the amount needed just to be in the seventh and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference entering the weekend.
FCC's next loss will officially eliminate the club from playoff contention, although they've effectively been out of the playoff picture for months.
Meanwhile, the Union have everything to play for. The Supporters Shield holders still have MLS Cup playoff qualification and high seeding in their sights in the tightly-packed Eastern Conference.
Philadelphia's just five points out of second place in the East. Missing the playoffs altogether is also entirely possible – eighth-place Atlanta United is three points back of Philadelphia (11-7-9).
The Union will be hampered by the international call-ups, though, which makes an otherwise appetizing date with listing Cincinnati a more complicated proposition.
Philadelphia will absent four starters from last week's win against Columbus Crew due to call-ups. A fifth starter in the Crew win – Kai Wagner – will also miss the match due to red card suspension.
As far as giving away Philadelphia's designs for their trip to TQL Stadium, FC Cincinnati defender Tyler Blackett, along with Marshall, described Albright's stance on the match against his former club as professional.
Blackett said during a Friday interview that Albright deferred to the interim coaching staff after he introduced himself to the team Wednesday. Albright's made few if any mentions of Philadelphia in the intervening days, Blackett indicated.
"I think he's taken himself away a little bit because he's too close to the situation," Marshall said Friday. "But obviously you know he wants to win, which we all do ... I asked him a few questions but I tried not to press him too much because I know the situation this week with so much going on."
More:MLS notebook: New England Revolution closing in on Supporters' Shield; USMNT in World Cup qualifiers
The Game
Kickoff: 8 p.m., TQL Stadium in Cincinnati
TV/Radio/stream: WSTR Star64/The Project – 100.7/106.3 FM/fccincinnati.com.
Series info: The Philadelphia Union lead the all-time series against Cincinnati with an undefeated 3-1-0 record.
Cincinnati.com prediction: Philadelphia Union 2, FC Cincinnati 1.
FC Cincinnati
Record: 4-15-8, 20 points; 14th in Eastern Conference
Goals for: 28
Goals against: 52
Coach: Tyrone Marshall - interim head coach (0-2-0; installed Sept. 27).
Projected starting lineup:
Przemysław Tytoń (GK)
Edgar Castillo, left back
Tyler Blackett, center back (left)
Geoff Cameron, center back (right)
Nick Hagglund, right back
Yuya Kubo, midfielder
Luciano Acosta, midfielder
Haris Medunjanin, midfielder
Alvaro Barreal, winger
Isaac Atanga, winger
Brenner Souza da Silva, forward
Philadelphia Union
Record: 11-7-8, 42 points; 3rd in Eastern Conference
Goals for: 36
Goals against: 26
Coach: Jim Curtin - eighth season as Union head coach
Projected starting lineup:
Joe Bendik, GK
Nathan Harriel, right back
Jakob Glesnes, center back
Jak Elliott, center back
Stuart Findlay, left back
Ale Bedoya, midfielder
Leon Flach, midfielder
Anthony Fontana, midfielder
Matheus Davó, midfielder/forward
Kacper Przybyłko, forward
Sergio Santos, forward
Noteworthy: While FC Cincinnati will be without the services of Ronald Matarrita due to Concacaf FIFA World Cup qualifying, Philadelphia has a heftier list of international absences. Goalkeeper Andre Blake and defender Alvas Powell (Jamaica), Jose Martinez (Venezuela), Olivier Mbaizo (Cameroon), Jamiro Monteiro (Cape Verde) and Daniel Gazdag (Hungary). Also, Kai Wagner will be out due to red card suspension.
Source link
