The Summer transfer window has come and gone once again, and FC Cincinnati now embark on the rest of the 2026 season. The most notable additions to the squad this summer included two transfers prior to the window closing last week, with David Douděra and Julián Malatini joining The Orange and Blue on a permanent transfer and a loan through next summer, respectively.
FC Cincinnati General Manager Chris Albright spoke with the media at the close of the window on a variety of topics, including those two new additions. To learn about the two members of The Orange and Blue, and hear what Albright had to say about them, you can read those stories here and here.
But there was lots more to come out of that press conference. So, as Albright addressed the media, a sort of “state-of-the-club” and a broader review of the window took place. Here are some of the notable subjects addressed in that over-half-hour-long address to the public.
A fully explored market
The window being open extended all the way back to the beginning of the summer and during the break in the season for the FIFA World Cup. The scouting process for players goes well beyond that period, but when it came time to make additions to the squad, Albright says they were incredibly thorough in their search.
It was clear to them, Albright says, that improving the defense was key, but that they were open to making improvements no matter where they came from if the situation was right. He also added that the rise of young players like Kenji Mboma Dem, Andrei Chirila and Gerardo “Dado” Valenzeula added further nuance to the kind of players they were seeking to add to augment the squad meaningfully.
Even still, it was an echoed commentary from CSO’s and coaches around the league that the market this window was a tad thin, and that a slower European market due to the World Cup made things a little bit harder to navigate this Summer.
“I would say it started a little bit slower with the World Cup. I think you know generally, globally, you saw that, even with some big deals closing in the Premier League the last couple days,” Albright said. “This window was a little murkier as far as what our exact best needs would be. In seasons past, I think there was more of a ‘silver bullet’ signing where we knew we could take it to the next level. I think with the emergence of some young players, Andrei, Kenji, Dado, guys playing in different positions, the conversation wasn't as clear.”
While the marketplace was slow, that didn’t stop FC Cincinnati from pursuing every possible pathway to improving the squad.
“We looked at probably over 300 center backs this window, and I think three or four kind of rose to the level of where we see Julian (Malatini) as a fit for FC Cincinnati,” Albright added. “So it kind of tells you the market was barren. I would say a bit more so than in years past.”
“We talked to a number of high-level players,” the FCC GM continued. “As little as a few days ago, we were talking to a player that plays for a European national team, and we did a lot of groundwork and made a lot of headway. Ultimately, he didn't want to come to MLS because he thought it might hurt his chances to play for that national team. So you're constantly in conversations with really high-level players. The hardest thing still in MLS is getting them to come. I think we've made a lot of progress (in the league) over the last five to ten years in our infrastructure, but that's certainly still a challenge.”
“So it's not that we're not in these conversations. It's just that there's only so many deals that you're able to get over the line, and we're really pleased with the ones we did towards the end of the window.”
More possible work to be done
While the transfer window is closed now, that does not mean business is done for the year. The transfer window allows players to move between teams, but the MLS roster freeze date is not until October 9; meaning the addition of free agent players is still possible.
Albright indicated that the club is still pursuing further additions through the free agent market. Similar to the kind of talent they were open to adding through transfers, the GM added that they are less specific about the position FCC are trying to add and are more focused on a personality and experience profile to make their squad better for the long run.
“We can still sign free agents, and we're actively talking to some targets that hopefully we can make another addition or two,” Albright said. “We feel like we have a lot of depth in this team now. When you look across all positions, there are two to three guys in every position, so we feel comfortable with our numbers.”
“Is there an opportunity for a player that has a level of experience that, when he walks in the building, knows how to carry himself, and knows what winning looks like and what a real environment looks like?” Albright added. “And positionally maybe care a little less about what it is, yeah, but someone that maybe gives us a shot in the arm to help us win now, I would say, that's the profile we’re looking for.”
Albright also clarified that there is full financial backing to make any moves the club needs to improve.
“Full backing financial backing from (ownership),” Albright said. “Are we going to spend $30 million every transfer window? Probably not. We're going to try to be prudent with our resources, but yeah, all the flexibility in the world to make this team better.”
A new kind of window
It is worth noting, as well, that this was a totally new kind of transfer window altogether that all MLS clubs had to navigate.
In addition to the upcoming sprint season and a calendar flip following that, MLS had its window pushed back this year to finish after the close of the European window. The move was universally praised, and Albright indicated that he felt it paid dividends for FCC and all other MLS clubs in the long run.
“In years past, when our window closed, let's say a few weeks back, we heard a lot of ‘no thanks, we're going to wait to see what options are out there in Europe,’” Albright shared. “Now with our window closing a day after Europe, we actually got some opportunities that we wouldn't have had in the past. So certainly, I think it's a great move by the league. I think it should bear fruit across all 30 teams, and we'll continue to kind of learn how to be more efficient with this new schedule.”
The other element at play in this window was the rumored and reported upcoming changes to how the league structures roster building. So making moves this window could have a knock-on effect on future roster construction rules that are not yet announced, or even presented, that could dictate clubs while these players are here. Albright indicated that, while he does not have explicit clarity on impending changes, the moves FC Cincinnati made gave them flexibility, so future changes were not a concern.
“Clarity is not something that (the league) is known for,” Albright said with a laugh.
“What I would say is I think what's coming is more flexibility, and so when we looked at this window, we wanted to sign players that could help us compete now, but that would also be building blocks going forward, and we think Julián (Malatini) and David (Douděra) so far, given their profiles, could do that.”
“So, yeah, not tying ourselves down to some crazy thing,” Albright continued. “Julián's a loan. We hope he's here long term. David's a two-year deal. It gives us flexibility. So, we sort of have an eye for the future, but you know, mostly I'm worried about winning the season and making sure that we don't do anything too detrimental to our success in the future.”
The US Open Cup
Another league-wide topic addressed was the news earlier that week that all MLS clubs would once again compete in the US Open Cup starting next season.
“I think it's exciting,” the FC Cincinnati GM said. “I won an Open Cup a long time ago, so the Open Cup's near and dear to my heart, and it's a source of pride for FC Cincinnati.. so I think it's great that we're going to be able to participate. I think it's great for our fans.”
“The way that it's going to be structured now, where you have a more (complete) roster and you can look between your first team… and younger players depending on what stage you get to, I think, is a really smart move by the league and by U.S. Soccer, and we're looking forward to competing in it next year.”
Developing in-house
The final moments of the availability with Albright focused on the developmental wing of the club, the growing impact the system is having on the first team, and where they hope the organization is headed next.
“I think we continue to try to push the standards down from the first team into FCC 2 and the academy. What I will tell you is: without FCC 2 – Dado, Andrei, Kenji – are they performing at the level they're performing at? I don't think so,” Albright explained. So, I think the job that Jeff Larentowicz and Sammy Castillanos and Anthony Wallace are doing there this year, while the results are poor, I think we have the most first team prospects that we've ever had down there. And that's really what we're talking about when you talk about FCC 2 and the academy.”
Last season the FC Cincinnati Academy had a historically successful year, and have just kicked off the new season this past weekend. FC Cincinnati 2 are also proving key to shepherding young players to the higher ranks. So with more and more success stories every year, the proof of concept is there.
Recently, former Academy director Larry Sunderland parted ways with the club after six years of service. Albright indicated they are close to finalizing a new hire for the role and are looking to the future to continue their success in developing young talent within the club.
“Larry did a great job for us, and I have a ton of respect for the job he did in getting this thing off the ground,” Albright said. “We're honestly currently in the process of finalizing the academy director position. We have a guy in town today.”
“We're excited about the prospects we have. So really, I think the future's bright for this side of the building,” Albright added, gesturing to the wing of the building where the FC Cincinnati Academy offices reside. “As I said, Jeff Larentowicz has a big hand in sort of helping guide that for me, and we continue to try to raise the standards and produce more in-house FCC pros.”
