FC Cincinnati has always embraced the underdog role, rising up to meet challenges head-on when confronted. 

During USL and tournament play, the Orange-and-Blue always showed a strong mental edge when backed into a corner so it is no mystery to the players that FCC has rebounded from a season-opening 4-1 loss in strong fashion. 

In declaring its arrival into Major League Soccer, FCC has racked up seven points in the last three games and takes a 2-1-1 record into Saturday’s game against visiting Philadelphia Union.

According to the players, it is a mindset drilled into each team member from day one of joining the organization. 

Forrest Lasso was a mainstay for FCC a year ago and said he sees a lot of similarities between this expansion group and last years USL championship squad. 

“When someone tells us ‘you are not going to able to win, you are not going to have success as an expansion team,’ sweet!,” centerback Forrest Lasso said. “I appreciate the target on our backs and can’t wait to prove them wrong. Our motivation, our determination is what fuels our fire.”

Kenny Saief echoed Lasso’s thoughts. Saief joined the team after the season opener but quickly discovered the players don’t approach the games like a typical expansion team.

“Yeah, we are very motivated to show everybody Cincinnati is a good team,” Saief said. “They put this on the guys who come here. They put it on you this is the right place to be so I guess when all the guys have the same feelings, why everybody is believing we can do something.”

 A number of different players have taken the field for FCC this year, the changing personnel due to international call-ups and injuries, but the Orange-and-Blue keep chugging along, moving to second place in the latest MLS standings. 

FCC has not allowed a goal in 265 minutes despite playing new players in the back the last two games. 

Coach Alan Koch said while his squad clearly has talent, the battles that take place in practice shape the future of FCC.

“You have to have competition,” Koch said. “To be remotely successful in this league you have to have players that come to the training program pushing each other every single day. We have created an environment, and every team should create this environment, where you have to come to work and push each other to get your job.”

While having a lot of talent is a luxury, Koch will have a tough job finding minutes for all his players. 

“We speak to the players about having opportunities and grabbing opportunities,” Koch said. “I think so far we have been lucky. We have been able to give a group of players an opportunity so it hasn’t been a challenge so far. Obviously it is a long, long season. So far I think every individual is in a good place because they have been presented with an opportunity and taken advantage.”

Saief said the coaches do a great job of creating a “team first” mentality, which has allowed each player to know if they work hard, they will be rewarded.  

“You can see, it is not just the starting 11, it is the whole group,” Saief said. “Everyone is motivated. That is what has us moving forward and doing well. It isn’t just the 11 players. It doesn’t matter who starts.”

FCC is on the verge of history. If the Orange-and-Blue can win Saturday it would be the best start for an expansion team in MLS history.

Just don’t ask Koch, who said, “It means absolutely nothing. Honestly, we go one game at a time. We just focus one game at a time. Records and things like that don’t mean anything. We try to do everything we can to get three points for our club and our city.”

NOTES:

• Frankie Amaya, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 MLS Superdraft, will be on the 18-man roster for Philly.
• Kekuta Manneh’s goal versus New England is the MLS Goal of the Week.
• Fanendo Adi is still rehabbing his injury and will not play this week. 

WHAT: FCC (2-1-1) vs. Philadelphia Union (1-2-1) 

WHEN: SATURDAY, MARCH 30

WHERE: NIPPERT STADIUM

KICKOFF: 7:30 PM ET

TV: WSTR STAR 64

STREAM: FloFC