On Tuesday, FC Cincinnati continued building their roster with an eye towards their inaugural season in 2019 as they selected five players in the 2018 MLS Expansion Draft. Find out more about the five players below.
1. Darren Mattocks
Forward — Drafted from D.C. United
A pacey striker, Darren Mattocks posted a career-high 10 goals with D.C. United in 2018, though saw his minutes reduced when Wayne Rooney joined the club over the summer. Mattocks, 28, is a Jamaican international who previously played for the Portland Timbers and Whitecaps.
2. Kei Kamara
Forward — Drafted from Vancouver Whitecaps FC
TRADED TO COLORADO RAPIDS
A 34-year-old striker, Kei Kamara is a proven goalscorer in MLS throughout all stops during his career, most recently notching 14 goals for Vancouver Whitecaps FC in 2018. His 112 goals are the 6th most in league history.
Kamara will be traded to the Colorado Rapids for an international roster spot. The Rapids are signing him to a two-year contract.
3. Roland Lamah
Midfielder — Drafted from FC Dallas
Roland Lamah, 30, is a winger with pace and finishing ability who spent the last two seasons with FC Dallas after spending his career with Belgian side Anderlecht, Spanish club Osasuna, the Premier League's Swansea City and others. He scored 19 goals in 61 appearances for Dallas over the last two seasons. Lamah's option was declined following the 2018 season as FCC will acquire the rights to negotiate with him.
4. Eric Alexander
Midfielder — Drafted from Houston Dynamo
An experienced midfielder, Eric Alexander joined the Houston Dynamo in a trade from the Montreal Impact in 2016. Last season, the 30-year-old made 21 appearances for the Dynamo, contributing one goal and two assists. He was a crucial piece in the Dynamo's run to the 2017 Western Conference Championship. He has been capped twice for the US men's national team.
5. Hassan Ndam
Defender — Drafted from New York Red Bulls
Hassan Ndam, 20, is an imposing center back who was nominated for Young Player of the Year in USL for New York Red Bulls II and was 16th in USL’s 20 Under 20 list this year. At 6-foot-4, the Cameroonian youth international is a physical presence who started 29 matches for the Red Bulls' USL team in 2018 while on loan from the Red Bulls. He made his first team debut in 2017 and started his first match for the club in 2018.
2019 FC Cincinnati Roster as of December 11, 2018:
FORWARDS:
Adi, Fanendo
Mattocks, Darren
Welshman, Emery
MIDFIELDERS:
Alashe, Fatai
Albadawi, Nazmi
Alexander, Eric
Bone, Corben
Ledesma, Emmanuel
McLaughlin, Jimmy
DEFENDERS:
Garza, Greg
Hoyte, Justin
Lasso, Forrest
Ndam, Hassan
Smith, Blake
Waston, Kendall
GOALKEEPERS:
Richey, Spencer
