FC Cincinnati head coach Alan Koch and assistant coach Yoann Damet have signed multi-year contract extensions, as announced by President and General Manager Jeff Berding.
“After going through an initial period of adjustment to a new technical staff and playing style, we are seeing the results we expected,” said Berding. “The team is extremely cohesive, playing great soccer and we’ve seen some terrific performances in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Reaching the semifinal and positioning ourselves to compete for a home USL playoff match are indicators that we are continuing to move in the right direction, not only for 2017 but for future seasons. Alan and his staff prepare the team well on a daily basis, have brought top available talent to FCC and have managed our personnel to put us in the best position to succeed.”
Since assuming the role of head coach, Koch has bolstered the club with the additions of scoring leader Djiby, who has 23 points on 11 goals and an assist. He brokered a trade with OKC Energy FC to obtain Danni König, who is second on the team with seven goals in eight starts as well as adding former Arsenal defender Justin Hoyte and FC Barcelona product Josu. Most recently, Koch has added Bundesliga veteran, Kevin Schindler, as well as Kyle Greig to provide additional options up top. The additions were rounded out by defender Sem de Wit who joined the club from Whitecaps FC 2.
“On behalf of Yoann and myself we are greatly appreciative to Carl H. Lindner III, the ownership group as well as President Jeff Berding for their willingness to entrust us with their fantastic club” said Koch. “We continue to put blocks in place this year towards building something incredibly special, and it shows in how our team continues to improve every week on the pitch. Leading the Orange and Blue is an incredible honor and something that we put all of our energy into every day. We appreciate the support from the club and the fans, and look forward to continued success as we move forward.”
FCC has garnered national and international headlines, mostly recently following its win on ESPN against Chicago Fire SC in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on June 28 in front of over 32,000 fans at Nippert Stadium. The Orange and Blue are one of the final four teams in the tournament and will host New York Red Bulls on Aug. 15 at Nippert Stadium.
Josu signed for another year; Halfhill gets contract
FC Cincinnati has signed Josu to an additional year, securing the defender through the 2018 season. The club has also penned Garrett Halfhill to his first professional contract for the season with an option for 2018.
Josu joined FCC in mid-May, playing previously with the Kerala Blasters (Indian Super League). Since joining the Orange and Blue, Josu has played in seven games with four starts. He has two assists on the season and launched four shots, including three on target. As part of the defensive unit, Josu has won 22 duels and nine tackles. He was named to the USL Team of the Week for the first time this season when he helped FCC to a win over Louisville City FC following an assist on a goal and had a critical goal-line clearance.
Halfhill signed an amateur contract with FCC this season after receiving an invitation to train with the team prior to the start of the season. Eligible to play in all U.S. Open Cup and USL matches, Halfhill saw action in the friendly against the University of Cincinnati in March and then made his official debut for FCC against AFC Cleveland. He has played in two matches and taken one shot.
