Glad to see Nick getting some playing time at FC Cincinnati this past weekend vs LAFC. I've seen a few other matches and he gets limited playing time (started vs Pittsburgh in US Open Cup match). He does get into the action right away/creates great chances. Unfortunately, the side is last in the MLS East Conference. Perhaps their fortunes change if he gets more playing time?!

Note to NIU SID: When Nick came in at the 78th minute this past weekend, the FS1 announcer heralded Nick coming from Northern Illinois University, "located 1 hour south of Chicago with a population of 18K." May want to send them a press kit or something?!


Nick's brother Anthony has seen no action with the Colorado Rapids. He doesn't even have his picture on their team roster or an assigned number. He is getting playing time on their reserve team, Rapids 2. Likewise, Colorado sits in 10th place in the MLS West Conference. Perhaps their fortunes change if he gets moved up/gets playing time?!

(04-25-2022 09:50 PM)Huskie D Wrote:  Glad to see Nick getting some playing time at FC Cincinnati this past weekend vs LAFC. I've seen a few other matches and he gets limited playing time (started vs Pittsburgh in US Open Cup match). He does get into the action right away/creates great chances. Unfortunately, the side is last in the MLS East Conference. Perhaps their fortunes change if he gets more playing time?!

Note to NIU SID: When Nick came in at the 78th minute this past weekend, the FS1 announcer heralded Nick coming from Northern Illinois University, "located 1 hour south of Chicago with a population of 18K." May want to send them a press kit or something?!


Nick's brother Anthony has seen no action with the Colorado Rapids. He doesn't even have his picture on their team roster or an assigned number. He is getting playing time on their reserve team, Rapids 2. Likewise, Colorado sits in 10th place in the MLS West Conference. Perhaps their fortunes change if he gets moved up/gets playing time?!

Colorado is an odd team. They were really good last year...overachieved maybe...and don't spend any money. That strategy hasn't worked out too well for them this year.

There's a good chance Anthony spends the year playing for Rapids 2 just for playing time and development though. MLS Next Pro is an intriguing league for MLS (its in its 1st year of existence) and should be a good JV-esqe setting for many teams. There's also the Open Cup providing some minutes for the teams and the Rapids play Minnesota United Wednesday (I think). Clubs view that tournament differently and often don't play their best players in it as a way to give them rest in their pursuit of either an MLS Cup or the Supporter's Shield. But some teams (and the Rapids might be one) could look at the Open Cup as a way to win some hardware and focus more on it this year which would mean they're playing their top 11. I suppose we'll see.

As for Cincinnati, that team has been in the league like 3 or 4 years and has always been terrible. I was quite surprsied when Nick started the year out getting regular minutes with them, which really is only a reflection of their roster. They simply don't have a deep roster and are trying to develop guys at the top level of their franchise, which is really hard to do. FWIW, their MLS Next Pro team (FC Cincinnati 2) isn't very good either (3 points in 4 games).