There's no way around it: FC Cincinnati disappointed in 2021. It might have even taken steps backward in several areas.
Now, it's time to pick up the pieces and take stock of one of the most arduous campaigns in MLS history, which featured a monied roster, expectations from ownership of at least a winning record, and a quiet exit from postseason contention far earlier in 2021 than anyone expected.
The good
• Luciano Acosta: For really the first time in club history, one of the club's big offseason acquisitions came in and immediately lived up to expectations, and designated player-type expectations. Acosta had a team-best 17 goals contributions (seven goals, 10 assists) and his seven goals are joint-second for single-season goals in the club's MLS history. Cincinnati has two more years on Acosta's contract, and his market value has surely increased up since his mid-winter transfer from Atlas FC in Mexico.
• Late June into mid-July: FC Cincinnati went on a four-match unbeaten run – its longest since joining MLS – and was playing arguably the best soccer of its time in the first division. Back-to-back wins against Chicago Fire FC and Toronto FC, along with a come-from-behind draw on the road against Houston Dynamo FC, highlighted the run. This was the high-water mark of 2021 for FCC. The unbeaten streak also included a disappointing 2-2 draw with Columbus Crew, but it was still a promising run even with that result. The team proved itself to be a competent one that could grind out results during this stretch, but those qualities vanished over the rest of the regular season as the club would win just one match from July through the season finale on Nov. 7.
• Brenner Souza da Silva: There's an ongoing debate as to whether Brenner lived up to the promise that was attached to the transfer fee he commanded in the offseason. Ultimately, it came as some amount of consolation when Brenner claimed the club's single-season record for goals (eight), surpassing Allan Cruz's 2019 haul of seven goals in addition to separating himself from Acosta (both had seven late in the season). There's plenty to nitpick about Brenner's introduction to MLS, but compare his first season in the league to that of former designated player Jürgen Locadia, who never found his footing or a consistent run of form with the club. When you look at Brenner's season from that vantage point while also bearing in mind the 21-year-old Brazilian was playing abroad for the first time, maybe the 2021 season was the start of something special. It stands to reason Brenner should continue to grow and develop in 2022.
• The TQL Stadium win: Sept. 11, 2021 was a big date in FC Cincinnati history as the 2-0 victory against Toronto FC the club claimed that day was the first win at TQL Stadium, the club's first-year venue. Ultimately, it was the last home victory of the season at the venue, which condemned FC Cincinnati being the first club in MLS history to win just once at home in a full, uninterrupted season. Still, at least they got the one win in.
• Ronald Matarrita: Matarrita arrived late in 2020 from New York City FC, and was the first big addition for 2021. He came with the reputation as being attack-minded and less inclined to want to defend, which is problematic for a player that plays defense. But Matarrita served FC Cincinnati, as well as the Costa Rican men's national team, well in 2021 offensively and defensively. Matarrita finished the season with two goals and five assists. Both tied previous career highs. And he answered some critics defensively, too, and proved to be a team leader in moments like the 6-3 loss to Nashville SC. It was a year of turnover in the Costa Rican men's national team, in addition to Concacaf Nations League, Gold Cup and FIFA World Cup qualifying commitments that Matarrita honored with his home country. Partly due to that (and partly due to injury), Matarrita only played in 22 matches in 2021 - all starts. But that's really the only knock on the player from this past season, and international call-ups certainly have their value, too.
The bad
• Roster construction and management: Upon being introduced as FC Cincinnati's general manager, Chris Albright seemed to suggest that the club's current roster was a collection of some talented individual players but ultimately a flawed team that was far less than the sum of its parts. The Gerard Nijkamp-built team was top-heavy in terms of expenditure and veterans, and lacking for youth, as well as rotation under head coach Jaap Stam. Stam was rigid in his player selections, which was later identified as a source of concern relative to club culture. By Oct. 1, Nijkamp, Stam and two assistant coaches were fired. More changes are coming this offseason. And when an interim staff lauded for helping shift the club's culture took over, that staff didn't get any results over the final nine matches of the season. The sum of it all was a 4-22-8 record.
• Goals conceded: Some thought it couldn't possibly get worse than FC Cincinnati's 2019 season, which seemed to crater when the club set an MLS record for goals allowed in a season (75). Well, the 2021 iteration of FCC didn't do much better defensively as the club allowed 74 goals, joining Orlando City's 2018 team for second-most goals allowed in a single campaign.
• 4-22-8: FC Cincinnati's 22 losses matched its quantity of defeats from 2019 while the four losses were equal to its lowest amount since joining MLS (2020). And the club closed the season on a 12-match losing streak.
Question marks ahead of 2022
• Chris Albright: FC Cincinnati's new general manager will need time to correct what's gone wrong at FCC, and it's simply too soon to know how fast and efficiently he can do that. What is known of Albright is that he was a proven winner as a player and as technical director with the Philadelphia Union. Hiring him to the club's GM post his widely been applauded by pundits. This week and the start of the offseason should bring about the start of consequential decision making and decision taking by Albright.
• And the next head coach will be...: Much like FC Cincinnati's GM search that produced Albright, the club's search for its next head coach has so far proceeded very quietly. Cincinnati's made virtually no waves publicly in the search, and even the best-sourced national MLS reporters are quiet on the subject of confirmed candidates for the job. We know interim head coach Tyrone Marshall wants to be considered. Beyond that, we know Albright is going to prioritize MLS experience. The rest of the situation is a bit of a guessing game for now. Expect the club to land on a name you've probably heard before if you pay close attention to the league, and the coaching staffs around it.
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