FC Cincinnati is finalizing a deal to sign Czech wingback David Doudera from Slavia Prague, according to Tom Bogert of The Athletic. Doudera, 28, was part of the Czechia national team this spring with Cincinnati’s Pavel Bucha. Doudera was on Czechia’s World Cup roster, starting one group-stage game. He won back-to-back league titles with Slavia and played seven Champions League games.
That adds to the reported signing of center back Julian Malatini on loan from German club Werder Bremen. Cincinnati has not confirmed either move or announced other moves. The MLS summer transfer window ends after midnight Wednesday night, Sept. 3.
Malatini would add depth to the back line and potentially start, while Doudera would do the same on the outside wings.
Natural midfielders Samuel Gidi and Kyle Smith have frequently been starting as center backs, and Bucha has started a lot of games on the right wing, which is not his natural position as he normally plays central midfield.
General Manager Chris Albright is scheduled to have a press conference Sept. 3 and address any and all roster moves.
Evander wins player of the month for Major League Soccer
FC Cincinnati midfielder Evander has been named the MLS Player of the Month for July/August 2026
The Brazilian star won his second consecutive MLS Player of the Month award, after he earned the nod for May. He has become the first player in MLS since 2023 to earn back-to-back MLS Player of the Month awards since Luciano ‘Lucho’ Acosta did, also for FC Cincinnati, in July and then August.
Evander’s Player of the Month honor is the third of his career. He won one with the Portland Timbers in 2024. It is the seventh FC Cincinnati Player of the Month Award. Acosta won four and Brenner one.
Evander’s nine goal contributions (four goals, five assists) in seven MLS matches were tied for first in MLS during the months of July and August after the restart of the season. Of Cincinnati’s 13 goals in July and August, Evander scored or assisted on 69% of them, which was the highest percentage in MLS (minimum of five goal contributions).
The Brazilian midfielder also had several clutch moments, which included a game-winning assist against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on July 22 and a late game-winning goal from distance against San Jose Earthquakes on August 1, which was the MLS Goal of the Matchday. On August 19, Evander gave FC Cincinnati a dramatic, late win over New York City FC with his 90’+2 game-winning goal.
Evander and FC Cincinnati return to TQL Stadium this Saturday, September 5 when the Orange and Blue host D.C. United at 7:30 p.m. ET.
FC Cincinnati will return to the U.S. Open Cup in 2027
Major League Soccer said that all 27 of its U.S.-based clubs, including FC Cincinnati, are set to compete in the 2027 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, the nation’s longest-running soccer competition. FC Cincinnati will take part in the historic national club championship for the first time since 2023, where the Orange and Blue advanced to the competition's semifinal round, losing to Inter Miami. In recent years, only teams that didn't qualify for the MLS playoffs participated in the U.S. Open Cup the next year.
MLS clubs will enter the 2027 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in the Round of 64 in July, with MLS clubs receiving hosting priority for their opening match of the competition.
Following the Round of 64, a live draw will be held to reveal the matchups and hosting scenarios for the Round of 32 and Round of 16. The Round of 32 will be played on Sept. 14-15. The Round of 16 dates are to be confirmed, followed by the quarterfinals on Nov. 23-24, semifinals on December 1 and the final on Dec. 15. These dates are subject to change.
FC Cincinnati hosts camp with Portuguese club
FC Cincinnati and its partner club, Portuguese power FC Porto, will co-host a youth soccer camp. The camp will be held October 16-17 at the Mercy Health Training Center and is designed for boys and girls ages 6-14. Space is limited for the camp and is first-come, first-serve. See more information on the camp and registration information here.
Registration is $80 per camper and includes a complimentary camp shirt. Participants will train over two days through professionally led sessions designed to challenge players, improve technical skills and provide exposure to international coaching standards.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: FC Cincinnati signs wingback, Evander named player of the month
