The recent arrival of defender Tyler Blackett to FC Cincinnati was more than a year in the making, but the time line extended to 12 months because the club couldn't close a deal on Blackett in August of 2020.
When the deal failed to materialize, Blackett set his sights squarely on the upcoming season in England's second division, the Championship, as a member of Nottingham Forest.
For Blackett, there wasn't any looking back on FC Cincinnati until the club approached again this summer and eventually landed him on a free transfer.
More:'Hell is Real' wrap: Can FC Cincinnati salvage its MLS season?
Now that he's settling in at the Mercy Health Training Center, where Blackett on Thursday staged his debut news conference as an FCC player, all sides are pleased with the long pursuit of Blackett.
"Me as a player, as I am myself, once I’m somewhere I’m totally focused on where I am," Blackett said. "So, no, I didn’t keep tabs on things here (last year) but it was something which kind of came out of nowhere the second time. It was something which I knew was right for me at the time when it came about again … Just the way that things came about. It kind of all just came together, which is nice, and it’s one of those things when you know, you know?
"I’ve always been interested in joining this team. I mean, I was close the first time. It didn’t happen but like you said, when a club has continued interest in you, it makes it even more better."
At FC Cincinnati, Blackett reunites with Jaap Stam. The two shared a fruitful player-manager relationship over two seasons at Championship side Reading FC, where Blackett made more than 60 appearances for Stam.
"He’s always been great for me and the players which he’s coached," Blackett said. "He’s a very good coach and I’m happy to work with him again."
More:FC Cincinnati stumble into 3-2 loss to Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field
Blackett, who described himself Thursday as experienced, composed and having a great left foot, arrived to Cincinnati injured. He's still working to return from a groin ailment and seems unlikely to see the field this weekend for FC Cincinnati.
Stam said Blackett would be evaluated into next week for a possible full introduction into the team.
More:FC Cincinnati sign defender Tyler Blackett from Nottingham Forest
Inter Miami CF comes to TQL Stadium
There's little question that FC Cincinnati needs to be eyeing a turnaround in the very near future if it is to salvage the 2021 season.
With 14 matches to play and a 3-9-8 record posted so far, FC Cincinnati is girding for its second of three meetings with inter Miami CF, which takes place Saturday at TQL Stadium (8 p.m. kickoff).
Miami is two places above FCC in the MLS Eastern Conference standings and seven points out of a playoff spot. If that doesn't sound impressive, consider that Miami was a much-derided on-field product this summer.
The club surged past FC Cincinnati in the standings as it went 3-1-2 over its last six matches. Now on a 6-9-5 record, Miami's keeping itself in possession to remain a threat to the MLS Cup playoff picture in the East.
"They’re in a good run. They’re in a good form as well as a team in how they played," Stam said during a Thursday news conference. "They played different the last games as well in terms of the system and how they’ve been playing it. They’ve changed that as well. It’s a team with quality, we all know that as well. You’ve seen that from the beginning of the (season) as well. They didn’t get the results but they still brought in good players, but the thing is that we play at home. We need to go forward as well. We need to get that result, so that’s what we’re working on."
Like the Seattle Sounders of 2016, Miami stands as an example to FC Cincinnati that an in-season turnaround isn't out of the question, and a few positive results could send FCC up the standings.
"You see with games what can happen if you have this result, if you can have this win then it changes the whole dynamic of the team as well," Stam said. "You get into a rhythm, you get a different feeling and then things look easier at times as well, and that’s what happened to them as well. That’s why we always talk about ‘OK, can we get this win? Can you have these extra two points or at least, because of that win, you can have a different feeling and then maybe you can get into a flow of games. Then it looks totally different."
Cincinnati will be looking to avenge its May 16 loss to Miami in the first-ever match at TQL Stadium, and a forward-minded, offensive approach might be the best way to reverse the 3-2 loss in their first meeting this year.
With the calendar now flipped to September and noticeably cooler weather in the Cincinnati region this week, the club has been reminded of its proximity to the end of the season.
There's still time for a turnaround but little if any room for error. Winless in 11 matches, FC Cincinnati is waiting on one victory to hopefully spark the club back into the ranks of the East's contenders.
"The thing is, and we take the confidence in that as well, that even against the bigger teams in the league or the higher-ranked teams in the league, we played well and created a lot," Stam said. "You get draws and everything and you’re very close. We need to make that happen against every team… It’s a good team. We need to give everything for ourselves to get the most out of this particular game as well."
Source link
