“You have an obligation to show up”: Noonan talks holdouts and more ahead of FC Cincinnati preseason
Damon Gumbert
FC Cincinnati had an open training session for the media Friday ahead of their trip to Clearwater, Florida for their preseason matchups. The players trotted around the only open field in an otherwise snow-covered training area at Mercy Health Training Center. The Post Cincy was in attendance and took some notes, while also attending Head Coach Pat Noonan’s availability after training.
Missing in Action
The headlines coming out of this training session will undoubtedly be about who was not at training versus who was. Former MLS MVP Luciano Acosta, fellow Argentinian Luca Orellano, and previously unreported Yuya Kubo were noticeably absent from training.
Acosta has been absent from all team activities since their defeat in the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs. After that match, Lucho spoke with the media and hinted that maybe he had played his last game for the Orange and Blue. Acosta would later skip his season exit interview before showing up on Argentinian TV the same day.
Orellano is perceived to be holding out of training in search of a new contract. It was reported soon after training had ended Friday that Orellano was finally in town and getting his medical clearance from the team.
Most surprising of the non-attendees was Kubo, who had not been included in reports as failing to report. Kubo is coming off a season where he scored 10 goals and added two assists and is likely also seeking a raise.
Those three players were the entirety of the Cincinnati offense during 2024, accounting for 34 of the team's 58 goals in the MLS regular season.
Noonan did not mince his words when talking about the missing players. “Disappointing that they’re not here,” Noonan said. “It is (a setback) because of how we have to start the season with the combination of Concacaf Champions Cup and league play. We experienced what that looks like last year.”
“There’s a lot of guys who would love different contracts, different situations, but they showed up. Whether you like it or not you have an obligation to show up.”
When following up on Chris Albrights comments about trying to bring back wing-back Yamil Asad, Noonan said “At this point, Yamil will not be with us this season.”
New Faces in Old Places
Many players who had been there in the past were gone, with new faces taking their place. Notably, defenders Niko Hämäläinen and Abdi Salim were brought in as trialists as they worked out with the first team. Hämäläinen, 27, who primarily plays as a left-back, has previously played with the Queens Park Rangers and on loan with both LAFC and LA Galaxy. Most recently he played for Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi (HJK) of the Finnish football league. Salim, 23, is a center-back who was drafted by Orlando City SC and most recently played on loan at Detroit City FC.
Recent signing Tah Brian Anunga was in attendance and working with the midfield team. As The Post Cincy reported, Anunga was signed as midfield depth behind Obinna Nwobodo and Pavel Bucha. Bucha played more minutes during the 2024 season than any other player for FC Cincinnati.
Noonan said of Anunga’s presence so far, “He’s been one of our top performances through day four. Both sides of the ball.”
The coach was also high on record signee Kevin Denkey, stating “His presence in front of goal, how clean he is with his touches, very purposeful to finish plays off, and consistent in hitting the goal. That’s what has made him such a strong goal scorer.”
Rehab Update
Matt Miazga and Nick Hagglund both were not available for training today while they rehab from their respective season-ending injuries.
Both players, we’ve been told, have been doing fieldwork this week, but while the full team practiced on the pitch they were working out inside.
Alec Kann is also expected to be returning to the team while they’re in Clearwater for the preseason.
FC Cincinnati are scheduled to leave Cincinnati and make their way to Florida on Monday, spending just under a month in the Sunshine State before making their way to Honduras for their CONCACAF Champions Cup game with FC Motagua on Feb. 19. The team will then head back to Cincinnati before their regular season kickoff against the New York Red Bulls on Feb. 22.
