By Dominic DeGrinney, Staff Writer

FC Cincinnati (FCC) entered its sixth year in Major League Soccer (MLS) with a preseason win against CF Montreal on Jan. 24 despite the absence of a key player Luciano Acosta. 

The orange and blue secured their preseason scrimmage win off a header by defender Andrei Chirila. Chirila was signed to FCC 2 – Cincinnati’s junior team – in September and is now a reserve player. He is also the brother of teammate Stefan Chirila. Chirila is the youngest player on FCC’s Florida training camp roster. 

The win came after a few weeks of preseason training fraught with the absences of star players, including forwards Luca Orellano, Yuya Kubo and Acosta. The captain’s absence fed into dissatisfaction with the team due to Acosta’s remarks at the last game of the  season last year, where Cincinnati lost in a shootout to New York City FC. 

“Maybe it is the end for me at this club,” Acosta said after the loss to NYCFC in last year’s playoffs. 

Orellano showed up for training, but Acosta appeared only the day after the scrimmage with Montreal. His appearance at FCC’s training camp proves that it is not yet the end for the 2023 MLS MVP. This leaves Kubo as the only player who has yet to appear at preseason training in Florida. 

Among the players present for the training going into the club’s sixth year is Cincinnati-native defender and 2013 Xavier graduate Nick Hagglund. The center back has been with the team since its inaugural MLS year in 2019. 

“I’m really thankful for the club and really thankful for the opportunity to be back. And ultimately everything that I have I’m going to give to this club. It’s rare to get this kind of support in professional sports, and I really appreciate it,” Hagglund said. 

Hagglund was acquired by FCC from Toronto FC in 2019, and was the club’s defender of the year in 2022. Hagglund made 34 appearances in 2023 and 10 appearances in 2024 before having to undergo reconstructive ankle ligament surgery. This season will mark Hagglund’s 12th year in the MLS. During the offseason, Hagglund renewed his contract through the 2027 season, keeping the Cincinnati kid on home soil for a few more years. 

“Nick embodies everything about FCC. He is an incredible teammate and an essential part of our group and its success. We’re thrilled to keep Nick and his family at FCC long term,” FCC General Manager Chris Albright said. 

As FCC prepares for a new season, they are doing more than just training. Organization for international matches – a Concacaf Champions Cup match against FC Motagua on Feb. 17 and the home opener against the New York Red Bulls on Feb. 22 – is all underway with season tickets being sold out. 

Throughout the season, FCC will have various themed games to hold in order to celebrate their 10th year as a club. Most events occur later in the season, including events like the first-ever bobblehead night being held on March 8 against Toronto. 

An exciting year lies in store for FCC, especially after a strong run into the playoffs last year, and they hope to make another strong run into the postseason.