Football Season Guide

FC Cincinnati finished at the foot of the Eastern Conference for a second season running last time around with an even worse record compared to their inaugural season though they did show a slight improvement in the defense. Cincinnati finished the campaign last season with the worst attacking record in the league, mustering just 12 goals from 23 games and the club has reacted by spending big in overhauling their offense. Brenner arrives on a multi-million deal from Sao Paulo and will spearhead the attack supported by Luciano Acosta who spent one season away from MLS playing for Atlas. Other major arrivals include Ronald Matarrita, who will be the first choice left back, while Cody Cropper and Isaac Atanga will look to help improve their depth in the goalkeeping and attacking position. Cincinnati have let go of a number of players during the off-season with Kendall Waston the biggest name leaving the club on a free transfer. Bobby Edwards and Greg Garza have also left, the latter missing large portions of the season due to injuries. Andrew Gutman was the first choice leftback last season but has also been released while Siem de Jong, Spencer Richey, Mathieu Deplagne and Jimmy McLaughlin are some of the other names leaving who were in and around the starting lineup. Cincinnati were bottom of the pile in more ways than one last season and, while they should improve this time around, a serious contender for the playoffs may be one step too far for Jaap Stam's side.