FC Cincinnati Squad 2025: Transfers, Roster & Season Preview

As the 2025 Major League Soccer season approaches, fans are eager to see how the FC Cincinnati Squad 2025 is shaping up. FC Cincinnati is a Major League Soccer team in the Eastern Conference, and the Orange and Blue enter 2025 with high expectations after a strong 2024 campaign (finishing near the top of the Eastern Conference).

Table of Contents

In this article we break down the full roster, highlight key players, recap major FC Cincinnati transfers, and preview tactics and expectations for the upcoming year. Expect a deep dive into player stats, formation strategies (including the likely Cincinnati starting XI), and everything analysts and supporters need to know about the 2025 MLS season preview for FC Cincinnati.

Alt: Soccer ball on a stadium field symbolizing FC Cincinnati Squad 2025.

Roster Breakdown

The official roster announcements show 23 players under contract for 2025. That roster is grouped by position as follows (with primary starters in bold):

Goalkeepers (4): Roman Celentano, Alec Kann, Evan Louro, Paul Walters.
Defenders (7): Chidozie Awaziem, Teenage Hadebe, Matt Miazga, Ian Murphy, Alvas Powell, Miles Robinson, DeAndre Yedlin.
Midfielders (7): Luciano Acosta, Álvaro Barreal* (on loan), Pavel Bucha, Stiven Jimenez, Obinna Nwobodo, Luca Orellano, Gerardo Valenzuela.
Forwards (5): Corey Baird, Stefan Chirila, Kévin Denkey, Yuya Kubo, Sergio Santos.

(*Barreal remains on loan through 2024.) This roster balance shows a mix of veterans and young talent. For example, FC Cincinnati’s goalkeepers combine experience (Kann, 34) and youth (Walters, 21). In defense, the club retains a strong core: U.S. men’s international Miles Robinson anchors the back line (expected to return to form after injury), alongside Zimbabwean Teenage Hadebe and the versatile Australian Brad Smith (left back, loaned in from Middlesbrough). Veteran DeAndre Yedlin provides right flank experience (he holds a Latvia passport and has played in England). The midfield includes long-time stalwart Obinna Nwobodo, set to anchor the center, alongside creative players like Luca Orellano (signed permanently after his 2024 loan). Up front, the attack is led by talented wingers Yuya Kubo (Japan) and new Designated Player Kévin Denkey (Togo), with other forwards like Corey Baird providing depth.

The breakdown above shows the football squad depth across all lines – from four keepers down to five forwards – giving Cincinnati options and resilience for the long season.

Key Players to Watch

Kévin Denkey (Forward, #9): Cincinnati’s new DP No. 9 arrives from Belgium’s Cercle Brugge for a record fee (reported ~$16.2M). A Togo international striker, Denkey is known for his speed and finishing. Expect him to lead the line in 2025 as the primary goalscorer.
Evander (Midfielder, #10): The Brazilian playmaker (signed from Portland for ~$12M) replaces legendary captain Acosta. Evander is an attacking midfielder (DP No. 10) who tallied 15 goals and 19 assists in 2024. His creativity and scoring will be pivotal for Cincinnati’s offense in 2025.
Roman Celentano (Goalkeeper, #18): The 24-year-old American goalkeeper solidified himself as FC Cincinnati’s #1 last season, notching numerous wins and key saves. He provides a young, yet experienced presence in goal and is expected to continue as the starter.
Obinna Nwobodo (Midfielder, #5): A Nigerian defensive midfielder who anchors the midfield. His tackling and passing help shield the defense and start attacks, making him a key two-way player.
Matt Miazga / Miles Robinson (Centre-Backs, #21/12): U.S. internationals. Both are big, physical central defenders. Miazga (29) is returning from an ACL injury (expected back in mid preseason), while Robinson (28) will look to pick up where he left off in 2022 when healthy. Their partnership (with Hadebe filling in as needed) should be a strength.
Yuya Kubo (Forward/Midfielder, #7): A skillful Japanese winger/attacking mid. He scored several goals in 2024 and adds pace and dribbling on the flank.
Pavel Bucha (Midfielder, #20): A Czech midfield veteran, likely to partner Nwobodo in a double pivot. He provides passing and work-rate in the center of the park.
Off-the-Bench Contributors: Players like Corey Baird, Stefan Chirila, and young Homegrown Stiven Jimenez (age 17) offer depth. Jimenez, in particular, is a rising talent who saw a few appearances in 2024 and may earn more time.

Across the roster, the mix of experienced internationals and rising players should give FC Cincinnati plenty of soccer lineup options and flexibility. The official roster list confirms these names and positions.

Major Transfers In and Out

FC Cincinnati’s offseason saw several notable transfers. Key incoming signings include:

Kevin Denkey (In – Forward): A marquee Designated Player from Cercle Brugge, as noted.
Evander (In – Midfielder): Signed from Portland, taking over as the creative playmaker.
Lukas Engel (In – Left Back): Danish wingback on loan from Middlesbrough for 2025. He adds width and crossing ability on the left flank.
Gilberto Flores (In – Defender): Paraguayan youth international center back (U22 Initiative signing from Club Libertad). Provides depth in defense for years to come.
Luca Orellano (Option Triggered – Winger): The Argentine winger was permanently signed after his 2024 loan. He remains on the 2025 roster as a dynamic attacker.
Bret Halsey (Extended – Defender): Originally declined option, but re-signed through 2025, adding to defensive depth.

Key departures and losses:

Luciano Acosta (Out – Midfielder): The long-time captain (2023 MLS MVP) was traded to FC Dallas. His creativity is a big loss, but Evander fills that role.
Yamil Asad (Out – Midfielder): Veteran wingback; his option was declined after 2024.
Chidozie Awaziem (Out – Defender): Traded to Colorado Rapids. He had been a key centerback starter in 2024.
Niko Gioacchini (Loan return – Forward): The U.S. youth international’s loan from Como expired, and he returned to Italy.
Kevin Kelsy (Loan return – Forward): Returned to Shakhtar Donetsk after 2024 loan.
Nick Hagglund (Defender): His 2024 contract expired. The club indicated potential discussions for a return, but he is not guaranteed.
Other Option Declines: The club declined several roster options on players like London Aghedo, Joey Akpunonu, Isaiah Foster, Kipp Keller, Arquimides Ordoñez, Malik Pinto, etc..

In summary, Cincinnati added two Designated Players (Denkey, Evander) and several role players, while parting ways with former stars like Acosta. These changes give the team a fresh look. For details, the official announcements and MLS reports can be referenced.

Projected Starting Lineup

Given the roster and preseason signals, FC Cincinnati’s default formation appears to be evolving. In early 2025 Pat Noonan introduced a 4-2-3-1 setup (moving away from the back-five). A likely starting XI in this system could be:

Goalkeeper: Roman Celentano.
Defense (4): Lukas Engel (LB), Teenage Hadebe (LCB), Miles Robinson (RCB), DeAndre Yedlin (RB). (When healthy, Matt Miazga could rotate in center back.)
Midfield (2): Obinna Nwobodo and Pavel Bucha as double pivot (both midfielders).
Attack (3): Yuya Kubo (left wing), Evander (attacking mid), Kevin Denkey (striker), with room to swap in players like Corey Baird or Stefan Chirila on the right wing.

This lineup balances defensive solidity (with two holding mids and experienced CBs) and attacking firepower (DP Evander creating chances for Denkey and Kubo). Notably, Noonan confirmed using 4-2-3-1 in March 2025 and praised the team’s ability to adapt to new formations. Other variants might see two forwards (e.g., Denkey and Baird) in a 4-4-2 or 3-5-2, but the 4-2-3-1 with pressing is likely the main approach.

Tactical Style

FC Cincinnati is known for a dynamic, high-pressing style. Under Pat Noonan, the team often presses opponents aggressively “from front to back,” with attackers and midfielders working to pressure and counter-attack. This requires a fit, versatile squad: for example, new addition Lukas Engel is valued for his ability to contribute both in defense and in attack on the left. Key tactical notes:

Formation Flexibility: The core tactic in 2025 will likely be a 4-2-3-1 (as debuted), but Noonan has emphasized versatility. He praised the squad’s “requisite players and skill sets to diversify approaches”. Cincinnati may also shift to 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 if needed, as it did late in 2024.
Defensive Focus: After leading the league’s defense early in 2024, the back line weakened due to injuries. Noonan has pointed out the need to “evolve on the defensive side”. With Miazga returning mid-preseason and Flores joining, Cincinnati will emphasize organizing the defense, especially in games where they hold a lead.
Possession and Press: The team will aim to dominate possession with its midfield talent. Holding midfielder Nwobodo will break up play, while Evander is expected to unlock opponents with passes and through balls. Against top teams, Noonan talked about “understanding how to manage the game” when leading, so game management will be key in late 2025.
Squad Rotation: Competing in MLS, U.S. Open Cup, and the new CONCACAF Champions Cup (opening Feb 19 vs. Motagua) means heavy schedule. Depth will be tested, so expect rotation. For example, wingback Abdi Salim (from Cincinnati 2) and winger Kenji Mboma Dem may feature in Cup matches, keeping starters fresh. Noonan explicitly said that changing formations (like vs. Toronto FC in March) helped “manage the workload”.

Overall, the tactical blueprint is an energetic, possession-based offense supported by pressing defense. How quickly new signings (like Denkey and Evander) settle in will greatly affect the team’s success.

2025 Season Outlook

Analysts expect FC Cincinnati to again contend for playoff spots in the MLS Eastern Conference. In preseason predictions, the majority of pundits pegged Cincinnati around 2nd or 3rd place in the East. For example, Matt Doyle and Miguel Gallardo picked Cincy 2nd, while others had them 3rd. With Atlanta United investing heavily (e.g. signing Emmanuel Latte Lath) and traditional rivals like Columbus Crew aiming high, the Eastern Conference remains competitive. However, Cincinnati’s balance of defense and elite offensive talent gives them a strong chance.

Key factors for the season include:

Champions Cup and MLS Kickoff: FCC’s first match of 2025 is the Champions Cup tie (Concacaf’s new tournament) on Feb 19, followed by the MLS opener Feb 22 at home. Early form in these games will set the tone.
Home Advantage: Playing at TQL Stadium, known for its passionate support, is an advantage. The club’s improvement in 2023–24 (winning the Supporters’ Shield and U.S. Open Cup) shows rising momentum. (See our internal 2024 season recap for details on their recent success.)
Injury and Form: Health of key players (e.g., Miazga’s recovery, Robinson’s fitness) will impact results. Noonan’s rotation policy means form can vary, but overall depth helps mitigate slumps.
Statistics: Last season, FC Cincinnati outperformed most of MLS defensively and offensively. Watch for stats like clean sheets by Celentano and goal contributions by Evander/Denkey in 2025. These player stats will be closely followed by fans.
Team History: Cincinnati is a relatively young club (MLS since 2019) but has quickly become a top-tier team. For historical perspective, check our team history page. The club’s third season in MLS (2025) could bring its first MLS Cup if everything clicks.

In short, the FC Cincinnati Squad 2025 looks poised to challenge at the top of the East. Fans should expect a season of tactical variety, new star performances, and competitive fire in the 2025 MLS season preview.

Squad Depth and Youth

Depth is a major strength. Beyond the starters, Cincinnati has quality backups at every position (“football squad depth”). For example:

Goalkeepers: Alec Kann and Evan Louro are reliable backups in case of injury or for cup games.
Defense: Young defenders like Abdi Salim and drafts like Nicholas Hamalainen (on trial) are developing. Also, veteran Brad Smith adds left back cover.
Midfield: Beyond Nwobodo/Bucha, players like Gerardo Valenzuela (newly extended) and Ben Augee (from Cincinnati 2) can rotate. Homegrown prodigy Stiven Jimenez (17) is the biggest rising star; he is expected to gradually see more minutes as the season goes on.
Forwards: Stefan Chirila and Corey Baird provide options on the wings or as backup strikers. In fact, Chirila, a Romanian forward from the U.S. lower leagues, has quickly become a fan favorite in preseason.

This depth will be crucial through the heavy schedule of MLS, the U.S. Open Cup, and the Continental competition. It allows Pat Noonan to rest starters when needed and adapt tactics (e.g. switching to a back three) without a huge drop in quality.

Conclusion

The FC Cincinnati Squad 2025 is now set with top players and new signings, ready for an exciting season. This analysis has broken down the roster, key transfers, projected starting XI, tactics, and season outlook for Cincinnati in the 2025 MLS campaign. The primary keyword “FC Cincinnati Squad 2025” has been used throughout to highlight the focus on this year’s team. Fans are encouraged to follow the club’s official channels and share this preview. Which lineup or tactic do you think will succeed? Comment below and share on social media to let your voice be heard!

FAQs

Q: Who are the main players on the FC Cincinnati Squad 2025? The 2025 roster includes designations like Evander and Kevin Denkey (new Designated Players), stalwarts Obinna Nwobodo (midfield) and Roman Celentano (GK), and veterans like DeAndre Yedlin and Miles Robinson in defense. The team also features creative midfielders (e.g. Luca Orellano, Gerardo Valenzuela) and forwards (Yuya Kubo, Corey Baird). Official sources list goalkeepers (Celentano, Kann, Louro, Walters), defenders (Awaziem, Hadebe, Miazga, Murphy, Powell, Robinson, Yedlin), midfielders (Acosta, Barreal*, Bucha, Jimenez, Nwobodo, Orellano, Valenzuela) and forwards (Baird, Chirila, Denkey, Kubo, Santos).

Q: What major transfers have FC Cincinnati made for 2025? Inbound signings include DP striker Kevin Denkey and midfielder Evander, as well as loaned left back Lukas Engel and youth centerback Gilberto Flores. FC Cincinnati also secured winger Luca Orellano permanently (triggering his buy option). On the outgoing side, club legend Luciano Acosta was traded to FC Dallas and veteran Yamil Asad was released. Other departures include defender Chidozie Awaziem (to Colorado) and the expirations of players like Nick Hagglund. Full details are in the club announcements.

Q: What formation and starting lineup will Cincinnati use in 2025? Early indications are that coach Pat Noonan will employ a 4-2-3-1 formation. A likely starting XI could be: GK Roman Celentano; defenders Lukas Engel (LB), Teenage Hadebe (LCB), Miles Robinson (RCB), DeAndre Yedlin (RB); midfielders Obinna Nwobodo and Pavel Bucha; and attackers Yuya Kubo, Evander, and Kevin Denkey (with one of the wide or attacking roles possibly taken by another forward like Corey Baird). This setup matches the lineup used in Cincinnati’s new formation debut. The club is also capable of switching to a back three or 4-3-3 as needed.

Q: How did Cincinnati finish the 2024 season? In 2024 FC Cincinnati ranked near the top of MLS. They finished 2nd in the Eastern Conference (5th overall) and won the Supporters’ Shield (best regular-season record). That success set high expectations for 2025. The team had a strong defense early in 2024 (fewest goals allowed) but dealt with injuries later on. In the 2025 season, analysts predict Cincinnati will again compete for the Eastern Conference title.

Q: Where can I find the official FC Cincinnati roster or more stats? The official FC Cincinnati website regularly posts roster news and stats. You can also check MLS.com’s team pages and the club’s stats section for up-to-date player data. For example, FCC’s newsroom announced the 2025 roster moves on their site. Internal articles (like our team history and 2024 recap) offer background context on players and seasons.