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The Flyin Lion Podcast is your one-stop destination for fresh and hot takes on FC Cincinnati news, game recaps, analysis, and unique segments. Stay informed and entertained as we delve into the thrilling and ever-evolving world of Cincinnati soccer.
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It’s been a rollercoaster week for FC Cincinnati—going from a historic 3-0 advantage over Tigres UANL to a complete collapse in Mexico, then responding with a chaotic 4-3 comeback win over CF Montreal despite going down a man after Miles Robinson’s red card. The fight and resilience were there, but the same defensive issues and costly mistakes remain, leaving the bigger question: is one emotional win enough to move past the Tigres disaster and win the fanbase back?
It was a week that showed both the ceiling and floor of FC Cincinnati. Just days after a historic 3–0 win over Tigres UANL in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, led by a two-goal, one-assist performance from Kévin Denkey at TQL Stadium, Cincinnati followed it with a disastrous 6–1 loss to the New England Revolution in MLS play. On this episode of the Flyin Lion Podcast we break down both matches, including the dominant high press vs Tigres, the rotated lineup and defensive collapse vs New England, the MLS debut of Andrei Chirila, the return of Matt Miazga, Evander’s impact on and off the field, and what Pat Noonan had to say after the loss as FCC now turns toward a massive second leg in Monterrey and an upcoming MLS matchup with CF Montréal.
FC Cincinnati’s attack stalled in a frustrating 1–0 loss to Toronto FC at TQL Stadium on MLS Matchday 3, and on this episode of the Flyin Lion Podcast we break down what went wrong—from the starting XI choices to the lack of movement and chance creation in the final third. We react to Pat Noonan’s blunt postmatch comments, dig into the match stats, and discuss what changes could spark the attack. We also cover Evan Louro’s contract extension, the loan addition of Fabian Mrozek from Liverpool F.C., and what FC Cincinnati’s current GAM situation means for roster flexibility. Plus, we check in on FC Cincinnati 2 and Matt Miazga’s return to minutes, and preview a huge week ahead with a CONCACAF Champions Cup clash against Tigres UANL followed by a league matchup with the New England Revolution.
FC Cincinnati fans hear him every matchday breaking down the tactics on ESPN 1530 — now broadcast analyst Kevin McCloskey joins the Flyin Lion Podcast. Kevin talks about his journey through the game as a player, coach, and executive before stepping into the booth with Tommy Gelehrter, shares stories from the early USL days of FC Cincinnati, and explains what preparation looks like before every broadcast. We also dive into the current state of FCC, the most important offseason move, what it will take to win a trophy this season, and Kevin’s perspective on the future of MLS, plus some rapid-fire questions to close it out. If you love FC Cincinnati and behind-the-scenes insight from the broadcast booth, this episode is for you.
FC Cincinnati’s week showcased both extremes of a long season, opening with a historic 9–0 demolition of O&M FC to secure a 13–0 aggregate victory — setting a club scoring record and the largest goal differential ever by an MLS team — before falling in their first road test of 2026 at Minnesota United, where cold conditions and missed final-third execution proved decisive. After dominant attacking displays midweek, FCC controlled stretches of play on the road but lacked the sharpness and aggression needed to capitalize, a point emphasized by Pat Noonan postmatch. The result feels less like alarm and more like a checkpoint, sharpening focus on creativity, rotation decisions, and response as Cincinnati now prepares for a Champions Cup Round of 16 showdown with Tigres UANL.
FC Cincinnati open the 2026 season with two convincing wins, starting with a dominant 4–0 road victory over O&M FC in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, their third straight year in the competition, behind goals from Tom Barlow, Kévin Denkey, and a brace from Ayoub Jabbari. FCC then returned home to a sold-out TQL Stadium to defeat Atlanta United on MLS Matchday 1, extending their unbeaten run in home openers under Pat Noonan with late goals from Denkey and Nick Hagglund, though the night was shaped by Evander’s early exit with hamstring tightness. We break down the performances, tactical takeaways, and key stats, discuss the outlook on Evander’s status, and preview what’s next with the Champions Cup return leg at TQL and an upcoming MLS trip to face Minnesota United FC.
The road to silverware officially begins for FC Cincinnati as we kick off the 2026 season with a full preseason recap, kit review, and season predictions. We break down matches against Brooklyn FC and Orlando City SC, highlighting encouraging attacking moments, lingering defensive questions, and key lineup experiments. We also give our in-person thoughts on the new Seven Hills Kit, discuss mixed fan and media reactions, touch on roster rumors and depth concerns, and preview a massive opening week featuring the Concacaf Champions Cup opener vs O&M FC and MLS Matchday 1 against Atlanta United, along with full competition and award predictions for the year ahead.
Favian Renkel joins us to lead the big-picture MLS season preview while we also break down FC Cincinnati’s first preseason win, a 1–0 result over Detroit City that raised as many questions as answers. Denkey stayed reliable from the spot, Bryan Ramirez made an encouraging first impression after joining the squad, and FCC showed some intriguing tactical looks that could point to a dual-playmaker setup or Evander pushing into a false 9 role — though final-third creativity is still a concern. Heavy rotation gave us a peek at depth battles across the roster, and off the field, the leaked 2026 kit has fans split, sparking another debate about club identity and whether orange should finally take center stage.
FC Cincinnati played to a 1–1 draw with Houston Dynamo in preseason match No. 2, leaving mixed feelings about progress versus preseason illusion. A rotated lineup struggled early under pressure, but Denkey stayed in form — first with a bicycle kick called offside, then scoring by capitalizing on a defensive mistake. The second-half group created chances, including a strong look from Bucha, yet FCC conceded late again in the 88th minute. Roman Celentano and Pat Noonan both pointed to gradual tactical growth, especially in building out from the back and testing midfield partnerships, but issues remain with handling pressure and creating consistently in the final third. Denkey’s form is a bright spot, Evander’s influence is still developing, and Miazga’s absence is noticeable, while Jabbari was held out and younger players continue to develop. Off the field, FCC are reportedly adding Liverpool goalkeeper Fabian Mrozek on loan, the club has launched a partnership with FC Porto, FCC2 signed Mathias Vazquez, and Cincinnati was ranked fifth among MLS teams most likely to win Champions Cup. Preseason continues February 7 against Detroit City FC.
FC Cincinnati’s preseason comes with major uncertainty as European reports link Kévin Denkey to Napoli, forcing the club to consider a potential blockbuster sale just weeks before the season while already adjusting to Brenner’s exit. On the field, FCC showed encouraging structure in a 105-minute preseason draw with New England, with Denkey scoring, strong early buildup, and heavy rotations aimed at fitness and tactical evaluation ahead of Champions Cup play. Pat Noonan emphasized higher expectations and experimentation, with injury updates on key players, while the club also added winger Bryan Ramírez, made loan and roster moves, and kept an eye on wider MLS news—making it a busy stretch both on and off the pitch.
FC Cincinnati’s offseason finally kicked into gear with the signings of Tom Barlow and Kristian Fletcher, adding much-needed depth and upside to the attack. We break down what Barlow brings as a high-work-rate, big-bodied striker and why Fletcher is an intriguing buy-low move as he works back from ACL surgery. We also react to Luca Orellano’s multi-million dollar transfer to Monterrey and the latest on Bryan Ramirez, who is reportedly in Cincinnati with visa issues delaying his official announcement. Chris Albright’s comments on Jabbari being signed as a starter, the midfield being set, and the backline still needing work spark a larger roster conversation. We dive into the full preseason schedule in Florida, key dates leading into the season, and what the early calendar looks like with Concacaf and MLS openers. Plus, we cover the Paul Walters loan, new player numbers, FCC2 signings, and around-the-league MLS news to get you fully caught up heading into preseason.
We break down FCC’s long-awaited roster movement with the signings of hometown veteran Kyle Smith and 16-year-old Homegrown Ademar Chavez, react to Bryan Ramírez’s near-complete move from LDU Quito, and dive into the latest twists in the Luca Orellano saga. We also analyze how the roster is shaping up ahead of preseason, what’s still needed before the season and CCC begin, and where another striker or defensive help could fit, plus touch on FCC2 updates, former FCC players, some wild national media takes, and around-the-league MLS chaos — all while thanking everyone who took part in the 615 Soccer survey and continues to support our coverage.
FC Cincinnati’s offseason remains unsettled, headlined by the unresolved Luca Orellano saga — from Monterrey’s rejected bid and reports of agreed personal terms to stalled negotiations influenced by the 30% sell-on clause owed to Vasco da Gama. With his future unclear, FCC have emerged as favorites to sign Bryan Ramirez, a 25-year-old LDU Quito winger viewed as a potential replacement despite mixed reports on fit, while also exploring depth moves like 19-year-old striker Mathias Vazquez as an FCC2 option. We also zoom out to the broader strategy, including cap flexibility, the need for a left wingback, and uncertainty at center back with Teenage Hadebe and Matt Miazga, plus other headlines such as Brenner’s possible return to Brazil, Hadebe’s AFCON and knee update, the SuperDraft selection of Ayoub Lajhar, the addition of FCC2 forward Michael Sullivan, and the club’s search for a set piece coach — raising the question of whether one key decision is holding up the rest of the offseason.
Carter Chapley breaks down the latest FC Cincinnati news heading into the 2026 offseason, including Dominic Kinnear’s departure, Ayoub Jabbari’s permanent signing, and Alvas Powell’s return. We discuss Brenner’s loan ending, Chris Albright’s roster comments and interest in Luca Orellano, plus the ongoing Álvaro Barreal–Santos transfer situation.
We also cover Teenage Hadebe’s Zimbabwe call-up, FC Cincinnati’s MLS SuperDraft outlook, and what it all means for the club’s roster and direction this offseason.
We broke down a massive week across FC Cincinnati, MLS, and the USMNT — a stretch where roster movement, offseason windows, and major tournament draws all landed at once. We covered Lukas Engel not returning to FC Cincinnati, the growing MLS interest in Dado and whether the club should sell, loan, or hold, and the nearing announcement of Barreal’s permanent move to Santos. We discussed why a Brenner return is looking increasingly unlikely, the club’s key offseason priorities at left wingback and forward, and Evander finishing fourth in MVP voting. We also hit on FCC being ranked fourth among early 2026 MLS Cup contenders, the Concacaf Champions Cup draw against O&M FC, the opening of MLS Free Agency and the Re-Entry Draft, a full breakdown of the USMNT’s 2026 World Cup Group D placement, updates on FCC2 roster decisions and the coaching situation, and the MLS NEXT Fest results from the academy.
The 2025 FC Cincinnati season is officially wrapped, and we’re breaking down the key roster decisions, season takeaways, and what’s next heading into 2026. Fourteen players hit the offseason with expiring contracts—FCC exercised options on Miazga, Hadebe, Anunga, Jimenez, Momba Dem, and Louro, while declining Smith, Marczuk, Kamara, and Kubo (who gets a huge thank-you after six unforgettable seasons). Negotiations continue with Powell and loan players Brenner, Jabbari, and Engel, leaving the roster at 21 heading into winter.
We look back on everything FLP did in 2025—100 episodes, new guests, new merch, and partnerships with GOLZ TV and Chatterbox Sports—plus the club’s 10-year celebrations, kit nods, alumni match, collectible pins, and the full tifo catalog.
Our season review covers FCC’s 24-8-13 campaign, another elite MLS record, big transfer hits in Evander, Denkey, and Engel, and how the club managed major injuries. We hand out awards (Evander’s record goal tally, Roman’s Save of the Year, Hagglund’s Comeback honors, and more) before answering the big question: was 2025 a success?
We also touch on the MLS postseason landscape, then look ahead to the 2026 offseason—Champions Cup draw (Dec. 9), free agency (Dec. 10), draft notes, potential targets, and how FCC navigates a tight cap with 3 DPs, 3 U22s, and six open senior roster spots. A pivotal winter awaits.
FC Cincinnati’s playoff run ends at home in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, and in this episode we break down everything that happened on a frustrating night at TQL Stadium. We discuss the atmosphere with the light-up wands, Speed’s appearance after being Ruler of the Jungle, and the incredible Tifo paying homage to Denkey, Brenner, and Evander. From there, we dig into the lineup decisions — Ender getting the start, Engel not looking fully fit, and whether Gidi was the right call — along with FCC’s solid opening stretch and the lack of answers after Messi’s early goal. We dive into the halftime adjustments that didn’t change anything, the questionable subs including pulling Ender, the late push that cost two goals, and the clear frustration shown by several players. We also talk through Evander’s worst performance in orange and blue, the lack of energy across most of the squad, and Messi’s unreal streak of 22 goal contributions in Miami’s last seven matches.
FC Cincinnati prepares for a massive playoff showdown as Lionel Messi and Inter Miami come to TQL Stadium, and we break down what the Orange & Blue must do to advance. We also dive into MLS’s historic 2027 schedule overhaul, explaining how the league will shift to a summer-to-spring calendar. Recap an eventful international window for FCC players — including Miles Robinson’s wild USMNT match, Ender’s standout game for Venezuela, and updates on Teenage Hadebe, Gidi, Dado and Chirila.
FC Cincinnati survive and advance! The Orange and Blue defeat the Columbus Crew 2–1 at TQL Stadium in Game 3 to move on to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. We break down the lineup, key stats, and biggest storylines from a heated Hell Is Real playoff clash. We also touch on other MLS Playoff matchups in both conferences and an update on FCC’s international call-ups.
We break down FC Cincinnati’s disastrous 4–0 loss to the Columbus Crew in Game 2 of the MLS Cup Playoffs — their worst defeat in playoff history and tied for the largest in the Hell Is Real rivalry. From Yuya Kubo’s shocking red card to the team’s lack of energy and discipline, the guys dissect how it all unraveled in Columbus and what must change before Saturday’s win-or-go-home finale at TQL Stadium.
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