While offense stole the headlines for FC Cincinnati following the huge home-opening win over Portland last Sunday, behind the scenes stands a defense which has shown vast improvement since game one.

FCC opened the season with a less-than-stellar 4-1 loss to Seattle, but since then a brick wall has been thrown in front of the sticks, yielding only one goal in back-to-back games against Atlanta FC and the Timbers.

FCC coach Alan Koch has preached improvement from game to game and his back four have continued to jell with much credit to a newcomer.

Mathieu Deplagne, picked up as a free agent late in 2018, has secured the left back spot in FCC’s back line, content to defend on an island in a position he has never played before.

Deplagne played nine seasons in France’s Ligue 1, making 126 starts with HSC Montpellier and ES Troyes AC, with the majority of his playing time on the right side. 

Despite never playing on the left side, Deplagne has started all three games and played every minute at left back for FCC, providing stability to a spot which was a question mark for Koch.

“I just had a chat with [Deplagne] actually,” Koch said following practice when asked about his new left back. “You know what, left back isn’t his natural position. He is probably more natural playing as a right back. He has played as a center back for Montpellier, too. Playing as a left back sometimes can be a challenge for a guy who has always played on the right-hand side but he has adjusted to it fantastically.”

The Timbers found this out the hard way Sunday, spending much of the first half in last Sunday’s loss at FCC content to sent long balls and create one-on-ones down the right side but came away frustrated time and time again with their inability to get past Deplagne.

“It was good,” Deplagne said of the win. “First of all our defense has been playing well. It was perfect evening last Sunday because the team played very well and for the defenders because we played forward as a defense also. “

FCC goalie Spencer Richey was quick to credit his defense following his first shutout in the win over Portland.

“I had a couple of saves but for the most part, you know, I didn’t have a lot to do,” Richey said. “We were really solid defensively. I give props to the guys in front of me.”

Since day one, FCC has had Alvas Powell at right back, Deplagne on the left side and Nick Hagglund with Kendall Watson playing center backs. 

It is a back four which has formed a quick cohesion, allowing the four to play high and attack while switching to cover for counters behind the play. The result has been a four which has been stingy in even allowing shots in the last two games.

“For me to be in this group is a real pleasure,” Deplagne said of the back four, which yielded only three second-half shots against the Timbers. 

Deplagne said the move to left back hasn’t been a hard transition as he is just happy to get on the field and help the team win. 

“It just shows his maturity. It shows his professionalism,” Koch said. “It gives us another option obviously just to know he can really play anywhere along the back line. It gives me more options. He is willing to go play wherever we need him to play. It just shows a lot about his character and his willingness to do what we need for the team.”

In addition to helping hold Portland to only three second-half shots, Deplagne also made an impact on the other end, knocking in his first Major League Soccer goal in FCC’s 3-0 win. 

Not a physically imposing player at 6-foot, 175 pounds, Deplagne uses his speed to man-mark as well as make runs out of the back, which he did on his goal, sprinting to an open spot and easily knocking in a cross from Darren Mattocks in the 63rd minute. 

Deplagne said it was great to score in the home opener and said the fans were incredible.

“It was good, it was good,” Deplagne said. “Because the stands were full and the Cincy fans push the team really hard. It is so good to play at Nippert [Stadium]. For me it is the first time playing here. I really like to play this game and score.”