2020 FC Cincinnati season


The 2020 FC Cincinnati season was the club's second season in MLS, and the fifth season of a team playing under the FC Cincinnati brand after three years in the lower-division USL Championship. The club finished with a league worst 6–22–6 record in their inaugural MLS season in 2019, setting a league record for the most goals given up with 75. The 2020 season was the final year that FC Cincinnati played home matches at Nippert Stadium, as their new West End Stadium is scheduled to open in March 2021.
FC Cincinnati's offseason transfers and preseason training were executed under head coach Ron Jans. However, Jans resigned on February 17, amidst an investigation into his alleged use of a racial slur. Assistant coach Yoann Damet took over as interim head coach two weeks before FC Cincinnati's first regular season match. On May 21, 2020, Jaap Stam was named head coach—the fourth in the team's history. Said Bakkati, who had worked on Stam's staff in the past, was also named new assistant coach.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, MLS suspended play after two weeks in March and resumed with the MLS is Back Tournament four months later. The tournament was played within a bio-secure bubble near Orlando, Florida, and was followed by the resumption of the regular season with a modified schedule to reduce travel. FC Cincinnati played all of their home matches behind closed doors with no public spectators in attendance.

Club

Roster

No.NameNationalityPositionDate of birth Previous club
1Bobby EdwardsGKUSAbirth date and age|1992|5|30

2020 MLS SuperDraft picks

RoundPick #PlayerPositionCollegeNotes
229

Competitions

Major League Soccer

League tables

Eastern Conference
MLS is Back – Group E
Overall

U.S. Open Cup

Due to their final position in the 2019 MLS standings, FC Cincinnati would enter the competition in the Third Round, which was scheduled for April 19–21. However, the tournament was suspended and eventually cancelled on August 17, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Statistics

Appearances and goals

Numbers after plus-sign denote appearances as a substitute.
! colspan=16 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center|Goalkeepers
! colspan=16 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center|Defenders
! colspan=16 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center|Midfielders
! colspan=16 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center|Forwards
! colspan=16 style=background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center|''Players who have played for FC Cincinnati this season but have left the club:''

Awards

MLS is Back Man of the Match

The Man of the Match is named after each match by the editorial team of MLSsoccer.com.

MLS is Back Team of the Week

The Team of the Week includes the top players and coach during each week of the tournament, as chosen by the editorial team of MLSsoccer.com.
WeekBench
2

MLS is Back Coach of the Week

The Coach of the Week during each week of the tournament, as chosen by the editorial team of MLSsoccer.com.
WeekCoach
3

MLS is Back Goal of the Week

The Goal of the Week determines the best goal during each week of the tournament. The editorial team of MLSsoccer.com shortlists goals for fans to vote for on Twitter.
WeekPlayerScored againstScoreDate
2