FC Cincinnati USL Superthread

Going to work with his dad at OWU? Jay is in great physical shape, but not sure how long before he retires. Or maybe relinking with Jay Vidovich @ Pitt (believe they are also related)?

 

Would he want to go back to OWU and DIII? Or now that NC State is open...go back to the ACC?

 

He is OWU alum and who better to follow the legend than his kid? But sure, maybe he lands a HC job at D1 school.

 

Or...who better to mess up the system than his kid? HA!

 

FC Cincinnati’s roster continues to strengthen with the re-signing of Mitch Hildebrandt to a multi-year contract, pending USL and federation approval. Specifics of the contract will not be released per club policy.

“When we spoke to Mitch prior to signing him last year, he wanted an opportunity to prove himself and I believe he did that,” said Head Coach John Harkes. “There is a reason why he was the USL Goalkeeper of the Year. He worked on his skills constantly and also incorporated a disciplined regimen in regards to his conditioning, fitness and nutrition. We are excited to have him back because he is someone who will work tirelessly to help FCC win a USL Cup Final.”

Hildebrandt, a USL first-team honoree, posted nine clean sheets while leading the league in minutes (2,608) and games played (30). He was a three-time USL Team of the Week choice and finished the year with 72 saves and a 0.86 goals-against average.

“I couldn’t be happier about staying in Cincinnati,” said Hildebrandt. “I’m very excited about 2017 and the team that we are bringing back. The off-season will be a more relaxed one now that we’ve finalized things. With regards to training, there are things I have on the list to work on but for now, I will take the time to rest and rejuvenate so I can come back in February ready to help the team build off of 2016.”

He was a fan favorite last season with supporters chanting “Mitch Says No!” following each save by the goalie.
-------------------------
Glad to have so many back, main concern is forwards for 2017. Need scoring threats and depth.

 

Surpassed 7,000 season tickets for 2017, still months to go to reach goal of 10,000.

 

Cincinnati set to welcome Commissioner Don Garber in push for MLS expansion
November 19, 2016

http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/...referral&utm_content=News&utm_campaign=Unpaid

 

I was at the town hall, got to meet Garber and Twellman, I think we left a good impression and seemed a positive atmosphere. I was really impressed that the club splashed cash on big marketing push in the city, saw several billboards and ads on big screens with orange and blue at the convention center on display. You really felt like city embraced the occasion.

In regards to Cincinnati in MLS

1. No firm commitment (as expected)
2. Mentioned that 2020 would likely be year IF Cincinnati were to be in MLS
3. Stated Sacramento, Saint Louis, and Detroit were big competitors for MLS spots
4. No issue with Columbus being nearby, did not make firm statement on stadium (Garber visited Nippert)

 

http://cincinnatisoccertalk.com/2016/12/03/sean-okoli-says-goodbye-fc-cincinnati/

Sean Okoli Says Goodbye to FC Cincinnati
December 3, 2016

 

Expected, but means massive focus on signing 1-2 forwards as Sean was a big part of our scoring production. Management has a lot of work to do this off season, but we have been given assurances resources are there for signings.

 

Construction is underway to make Nippert's field larger. Can see the rounded end will have segments cut out allowing the field to be wider and longer. Project will cost 2 million and expected to be done before season starts.

 

I love stories like this where see the game growing, and not just among the young.

 

For reference

February 2016 = ~5K
October 2016 = ~6K
November 2016 = ~7K
December 2016 = ~8K

I think we could hit 10K by time season starts, Sacramento leads USL with ~9.5K right now.

 

That guy from Cincinnati (Joe Kernan?) who is a host on the early morning CNBC channel has, every once in awhile, made disparaging remarks about soccer when he interviews guests from England. He had given me the impression that folks in your area were not fans of soccer. Fortunately you are great fans and I hope you make it to MLS, which I know you will.

 

Cincinnati has changed a great deal in past ten years, buy even I have been blown away at how successful FC Cincinnati has been. It is remarkable how quickly the city and media have embraced the club and how nay sayers now support it.
After everything I saw I think we will draw even more people for year two.

 

Berding has targeted 62 goals – one goal better than USL champion New York Red Bulls II scored in 2016 – as the aim for next season in terms of offensive production.

"Sixty-two is the number we target and we have a structure in place for how we're trying to do it," Berding said. "I'd like to find someone who could score 16 goals but then I'd also like to add at other points because even if we replace (Okoli's) 16, we still have to score about 20 more goals... Our goal this year is to add a lot more depth and a lot more firepower. We just didn't score enough goals."

-----------
Been saying forwards are critical for us. Good to see club is acknowledging the issue. Big question is how much willing to spend and who we are able to get. Hopeful, but reasonable in expectations.

 

They've got the highest player budget in USL -- not counting the often unknown MLS2 teams. But, even if you count them and their consistent team, FCC is still probably tops. Rumors are SF Deltas coming in has massive salary budget though.

That said, sometimes goals scored numbers are interesting. I care more about quality of play, results, and keeping goals out of the goal! Putting a specific number is something I've never really focused, thought about, or been concerned about.

 

I do not know club salaries, is there a breakdown somewhere?

I know that despite spending more money than anticipated in various respects the club turned a profit in 2016 by beating all projections.

From that I would think there is money available to invest in players as expectations are to see revenue increase and pressure to win is building.

On focusing on goals I think it is addressing that we gave up points often because we couldn't put sides away. I don't think we scored 3 or more goals once in USL in all of 2016. I think with Harkes philosophy of possession you need those offensive threats and often a two goal lead to avoid dropping points late.

 

Club salaries aren't broken down, just from some good sources I've been able to find out what sides are spending. It's a real big issue in USL on the discrepancies of club player salaries. That was part of the reason why USSF D2/NASL and USL Pro came to be back when the split happened in mid-2000s. Some teams wanted to spend more, others didn't want it to happen.

The other thing with goal scorers, to my knowledge, is there are few players who lead USL in goal scoring in back-to-back years. Don't have the research/information on it, but I've followed USL for several years and I cannot remember many players who have stayed tops of the league in goal scoring. Don't know if they move on, can't keep up the scoring, or what the reasoning is, but that's what I remember. So, for FCC to get someone to score more than Okoli, will have to dig deep.

 

Yeah, may have to go abroad if nothing in USL/NASL. Have no idea how much they have to spend, but seem intent on fielding a winner again in 2017.

 

FC Cincinnati is pleased to announce that Eric Stevenson has agreed to terms and will return for the 2017 season. Also joining FCC next season will be former Louisville City FC talent, Kadeem Dacres, with both transactions pending USL and federation approval. Terms of the contracts will not be provided per club policy.

-------------------------

Stevenson was solid player so good to have him back. Hope Dacres makes a good addition.

 

90k in SF is like 50k in Dallas for example. If you don't pay a lot players wont be able to afford rent.

 

Garber's expansion announcement puts pressure on Cincinnati to build a SSS. Was hoping Nippert could be a solution, but clear after giving New York City and Atlanta a pass on not having SSS the league wants 25-28 clubs to have them.

Likely be lots of discussion as to where to build, how big to make it, and how to work with the city on this project. My hope is can find a decent location (likely not as good as Nippert) and get it done by 2020 to get into MLS. My concern is this could drag, and we miss our window.

I'd say we have a 40% chance of making it to MLS. Good, but nowhere close to guaranteed.

 

You could put a SSS at the old Kenner factory in Oakley, there's plenty of room. I didn't get that MLS is demanding a SSS, just revenue control. I don't know if that can happen at Nippert or at PBS but if I'm FCC, I'd look to go that route with a SSS plan on the books as well.