FC Cincinnati will have reinforcements ready to help on defense when the club enters the final homestretch of the Major League Soccer season.
Wingback David Douděra and center backs Julián Malatini and Tyrell Malacia are eligible to play in Atlanta Oct. 10, when Cincinnati resumes its season after the most recent FIFA international break.
They hope to improve a Cincinnati defense that has been one of the worst in MLS all season. Cincy is currently tied with Orlando for second-most goals conceded this season, 64, one behind Kansas City (65). Orlando and KC have played one more game than Cincinnati.
"We’re just putting attention to some of the things on the defensive side of the ball,” said head coach Pat Noonan. “We know that continues to be our
Achilles' Heel, is conceding goals. So we've done a good job of creating chances and scoring goals. That's something that we continue to work on because it's a strength. But defensively, we put a lot of time to try to improve intensity, duels, structure. We can harp on it, talk all we want. We have to be able to do it in a better way on gameday."
Douděra played 32 minutes Sept. 26 at Montreal in a 3-1 defeat. Malatini made the trip and was available on the bench, but did not play. Malacia signed recently, got his P-1 work visa last week and began full training with the team.
Malacia signed to a contract through June 2027, with an option for the 2027-28 MLS season. Malacia, 27, most recently played for English Premier League side Manchester United and brings over 250 European club appearances to Cincinnati.
Noonan said Malacia arrived in great fitness and has pushed himself hard in training to get ready to play.
“You don't have to tell him anything twice, which is a sign of a high soccer IQ,” Noonan said. “And he loves training, he's been really strong in ideas, how he plays in different ways, comfortable under pressure, can see plays ahead. So I think Tyrell's had a really good stretch."
Noonan said Malacia can play the left back in a four-back defensive alignment, which means he could be effective out on the left wing in Cincinnati’s three-back formation, or if Cincinnati plays four back out of that structure.
“(He) also has attacking ideas to help us move forward,” Noonan said. “I just think he moves with the game in a really fluid way, similar to Bryan (Ramirez), but I think his defensive instincts are certainly noticeable. How he communicates, very alert on the field.”
Douděra adds depth on the outside and can play in the back.
“David has been a wing back, back four, winger,” Noonan said. “So I think his energy on the flank is different. I think the style of play that he's coming from, and how he gets the ball into the box, or how he looks to attack are things that we've had good conversations about. David just has a really good approach to the game, life, this experience, and trying to help our group.”
Malatini, 25, made over 30 appearances with Werder Bremen in Germany’s top league before having ankle surgery, which he has recovered from. Malatini now has multiple weeks of training with Cincinnati under his belt. Noonan said his presence and ability to learn quickly have stood out.
“With Julián, you could see he's playing catchup a little bit with where he's at,” Noonan said. “So we'll manage it but very good presence as far as demeanor and the questions he's asking to try to get up to speed with things.”
Malatini said he knows that Cincinnati has struggled to shut down offenses all season, and he is excited to get on the field and help out in any way he can.
Malatini considers himself an aggressive player who plays with passion on the pitch. He said through an interpreter that “being intense is not negotiable. I have to be intense, but I try to stay calm and look for the better position on the field.”
Malatini is looking forward to his first Major League Soccer appearance. He said he has been watching MLS games since Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023, and more South American players started playing in the league.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: New arrivals ready to help FC Cincinnati defense
