When asked what he felt stepping on the field last weekend in his Major League Soccer debut for FC Cincinnati, Forrest Lasso smiled wide and just shook his head. 

“Aw man, it was special, a special weekend for sure,” Lasso said. “It is something I have been looking forward to since I started walking. We played well and got the clean sheet. It was really a special weekend.”  

Lasso spent the first three games watching, learning, waiting his turn and when his number was called on the road at New England, the 6-foot-5 gentle giant made the most of it in FCC’s 2-0 win over the Revolution.

Starting in place of Kendall Waston, Lasso helped anchor a defense which yielded little in the way of shots as goalie Spencer Richey had two saves while running FCC’s scoreless minutes streak to 265.

Lasso was dominant in the air on corners and set pieces, recording 11 clearances, three blocks, and two tackles. One of four FCC players making their first Major League soccer start, Lasso rewarded coach Alan Koch with stellar play as the Orange-and-Blue ran their record to 2-1-1. 

The Wofford College grad has been patient, waiting for his chance. With Waston, along with three other starters, getting called up to international duty last week, he got it.

It hasn’t been easy to sit, but Lasso said it makes playing all the more worthwhile.

“It is just part of the business,” he said. “Obviously we are all competitors and we all want to play. We have a group of extremely talented guys. In terms of myself, I don’t have as much experience as the guys in front of me do. I know I have to pay my dues and work my way to the top.”

Lasso was a mainstay in the back for FCC a year ago, his first with the club after playing the previous three years for the Charleston Battery. 

A three-time USL All-League performer (2016-2018), Lasso anchored an impressive back line for the Orange-and-Blue, capped off by being named the USL Defender of the Year in 2018.

Despite the success last year, Lasso knew it would be harder to get on the field this year, but said he is loving every minute. 

“It is a grind,” Lasso said.” It always has been a grind in my career from my time in high school, college, even my time at the Battery. Even a little bit last year as well. There are always tough times you have to fight through, but we know that is part of the business. We all know that when we sign up for it.”

Lasso said while the experts around the country were expecting FCC to drop a bit with so many new faces last weekend, the club was determined to prove people wrong.

“It was big for us, “Lasso said of disproving the doubters. “Obviously people expected something different from us especially with six guys down.”

While the depth of the team was evident, Lasso indicated the players self motivate and their attitude has played a big hand in FCC’s early success. 

“We train together every day,” Lasso said. “We hold each other to high standards, so we knew whoever’s job it was on Sunday needed to step up and do it like the guys the previous weekend. Our goal is three points every time we step on the pitch. That is our only goal and we got it done so we are happy with it.”

The missing starters return from international duty this week so Lasso said he acknowledges his time might be limited.

With the smile still big, Lasso said he is ready when called upon, as are his teammates. 

“We are fighters,” Lasso said. “We have a group of guys who are resilient. The motivation is what fuels our fire. We know at any point during this game one guy can be called up, and this weekend I got called up and did my job.”