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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

True story. And I said that Ecuador was a dark horse. One of us had a good day.

The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

Question is, as a coach what can/should Pat Noonan do? Have to send a message. Yank a guy who comes out of half and doesn’t focus and has a bad touch. Change captains. Pull a DP and sit him down. Anything to let the team know you’re serious about them improving their play. Can’t be business as usual

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

FC Cincinnati v. CF Montreal 1/2time thoughts: individual errors is the name of the game here. Guys with bad first touches, waiting too long to pass, turnovers in really bad spots. Defense is in constant scramble due to transitions from bad turnovers.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

Basically more “up-back-through” or “in-out-wide” or “short-short-long” combinations. Can also be Ender as the third pass: Bucha to Denkey, lay off to Evader, hit Ender streaking the line.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

Emphasize getting Evander on the ball as the 2nd/3rd— NOT the 1st pass. Instead of giving to Evander and “letting him cook,” bounce the ball like: Miles plays into Denkey’s feet, he lays it off first time to Bucha who has busted it to get into position, Bucha then plays Evander in the half space.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

Lastly, to all you Noonan haters: he may not be able to figure out the offense, but covering the lack of Evander by playing Barlow up top along with Obi and Bucha as dual 8’s to generate chances through the press was a stroke of genius.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

Also I think too many FCC players panic when they look up and don't see an immediate forward pass, they step on it and play negative. There’s a real “don’t take chances and you can’t make a mistake” vibe in possession. Take a breath and let the play develop.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

FC Cincinnati v Tigres 1/2 thoughts: Denkey isn’t getting a call - tell him to stay on his feet and give it back. Like the FCC press - stay disciplined, force the long ball. Ramirez - quit trying to dribble out of pressure. Early line splitting passes from Miles were working - get back to that.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

Evander (and now Dado) being man marked in the center. Locks down that part of the field because it also cuts off passing lanes into forwards. Need Dado to try to pull that midfielder into wide areas and let Bucha leak forward.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

FC Cincinnati v. Atlanta Utd halftime thoughts: woof. Game is too choppy, too many fouls. Offense is out of sync. So many poor touches in the offensive third. Denkey looks lost.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

(3/3) Repeatable pattern of play: we’re gonna have to pump the breaks on Chirila — remember that Noah Adnan started matches early last season. That said, he looked the part— calm on the ball, showed some decent passing ability, nice recovery speed.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

(2/3) Jabari’s night was manic. Looked really unsettled at times - poor touches, lack of confidence. Yet also had a brace and drew a PK. His athleticism will be a real weapon if he can even be an average finisher.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

FC Cincinnati postgame thoughts (1/3): Obi had a pretty good game - but if his offensive third touches go to Bucha instead this team’s offense will be better. Not sure if he can be convinced to sit deep more often like Anunga did in this one and let Bucha be a true box-to-box player.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Gonna try to do more consistent FCCincy halftime and post game thoughts on here. Love the early targeting of Denkey in the possession sequences. Love the one topic passes through the midfield. Not thrilled with the ineffective play from wide or the sloppy touches.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

Defensively FCCincy has been good - a bit worried about their team speed with Hagglund being on a yellow. Really need to punish Crew in transition or they will keep sending 8 bodies forward when they have the ball. FCCincy had a few run outs but didn’t muster a decent chance off them.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 09/11/2025

My FCCincy 1st half thoughts: too many good touches in the box to only come away with 1 shot on target - need to capitalize on those chances. Arfsten can’t keep up with Ender - need to get that kid running. Evander has looked off the pace - simplify the game & don’t try to make every play a home run

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 08/11/2025

My tactical hopes for FCCincy today: 1️⃣Evander doesn’t drop so deep & gets touches in the final third. 2️⃣FCC isn’t afraid to play quickly in behind and punish the Crew defenders for selling out going forward. 3️⃣Brenner and KD combine in transition - a little in, out, wide or short, short, long action.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 08/11/2025

Because they also don’t have the wide defenders to play 4 in the back. The only guy they have that can play outside back instead of wing back is Engel. Also, guys like Hagglund are WAY better in a back 3 because they don’t have to cover as much ground laterally.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

Would love to see FC Cincinnati first line of pressure just squeeze the play instead of trying to win the ball. Crew CBs are SO good at bypassing first point of pressure with the dribble.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

My #FCCincy halftime thoughts: put pressure on Arfsten - have to get Ender running in behind. And as soon as Ender takes off and ball is played, strikers get in the box! Defensively can’t get dragged out by movement of Rossi and leave space for Crew wide players to shoot the gaps.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

Had such a blast talking FCC present and future with @empiregass.bsky.social. Tune in to hear who David is picking for FCC’s 2026 Gass Theorem candidate, and why it’s silly to think Pat Noonan’s seat is even approaching warm regardless of postseason results.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

Conceding on set piece goals is about preparation and mentality. Either the coaching staff didn’t have the team prepared, or the team was not focused on the moment. Impossible for us to know which.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

I also think FCD will come out and press hard on the 2nd - need to capitalize on that and get in behind the initial line of pressure quickly. Obi has been really good actually turning and playing forward this match.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

Ramiro really trying to play between Evander and the ball to limit his touches all first half - the way to capitalize that is to get him on the ball with a 3 player combo: Obi to Denkey, one touch underneath to Evander… or something like that. Glad to be up 2-0 but need to get your 10 involved.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

Thanks for your message on @soccerwisehq.bsky.social today @empiregass.bsky.social regarding ICE raids. You’re right, issues of humanity are not political. Love and care of neighbor is not political. Right or Left, we should all be able to rally around treating each other well.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

My solve: drop a CB, bring on a wing, have the weak side wing drop narrow into midfield defensively.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

What will Noonan do to plug up the midfield? NYCFC drifting Maxi into half spaces and pushing an 8 forward - completely over running Kubo/Anunga. FCC have to either step a CB forward or drop one of their 10’s deeper or change formations.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

@galendruke.bsky.social I am really proud to be a priest in the Episcopal Church which your guest, Ryan Burge, called “the only one that bucks the trend” of being a liberal, white, Christian church in America. Don’t love that he framed our size by saying we don’t matter! Great episode though.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 26/04/2025

3 ways to beat a very compact defense: quick combinations through the lines (have to be perfect because space is tight) to draw them in then hit the space out wide; play over the top into the channels and force the back line to drop; switch side to side quickly and play around the block.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 26/04/2025

SKC playing in a VERY tight mid block defensively. No space between the lines. I’d like to see FC Cincinnati play a few balls in behind to loosen that up a bit.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 06/04/2025

We’ve seen so many players come into MLS and struggle in year one before being excellent. Add that he hasn’t had a lot of time with Evander (who himself is settling with a new team) and Orellano (who held out) and I’m preaching patience.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 06/04/2025

FC Cincinnati not playing with nearly enough width. Baird not good enough with his touch to play in the seam in tight space. Crowding out Denkey. Start wide then combine to the inside.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

Orellano turning the ball over with nearly 40% of his touches. Hasn’t been strong enough in key spots. Some really poor first touches. Robinson’s passes out of the back have been excellent but need someone to actually receive them and do something. Santos ain’t it.

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Reposted by The Rev. Coach Brad Gough

CincySoccerTalk @cincysoccertalk.bsky.social · 29/03/2025

Talking Tactics w/ @fccincytactalk.bsky.social breaks down the play style differences of DeAndre Yedlin and Lucas Engel. Watch now free on Patreon. ⬇️ #AllForCincy #FCCincy www.patreon.com/posts/125463...

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Talking Tactics w/ Coach Gough - Play styles of Yedlin vs Engel | Cincinnati Soccer Talk

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 22/03/2025

What I don’t like through 20’: too many cheap giveaways lead to good counterattack opportunities. Atlanta United players off the FCC left getting in on their dominant feet to shoot too easily. What I do: Atlanta back line looks slow so Luca and Santos should have some joy.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 16/03/2025

5 of FCC’s 7 shots came from outside of the box. Need to show some patience in the final third and force Biel and Zaha to track back a bit. Shooting quickly from distance is not a recipe for success.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 16/03/2025

All in all a decent half considering. Had a few half-chances that looked promising. Took intelligent fouls when needed. Kept CLT from having any really clear cut looks. Need to be cleaner in transition to attack - too many bad touches slowing play.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 15/03/2025

Orellano will need to maintain some width and force Zaha to defend or get to run at Ream with Yedlin on the overlap. Feels like the FCC right will tell the story of this match.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

Outside defender depth is a must for this team, but a 30 year old, oft injured journeyman doesn’t move the needle for me. Would be shocked if he did anything more than spelled Engel at the end of matches where FCC is in control. I hope I’m wrong.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

Kubo for Bucha a VERY curious sub. Bucha was struggling to provide defensive cover for Engel, so maybe Pat sees Kubo’s mobility as an upside.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

Denkey struggled to hold the ball up with the few touches he got. Only retained possession on 43% of his touches. Obi has been a beast - already 8 duels on the night. Engel struggling - only completed 56% of his passes.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

A huge difficulty when you play a team that has as much possession as Tigres has is stepping on the a ball when you win it back. Players get scared to take risks and give the ball away. But FCC need to stay tuned into the counter attack. Tigres looks gappy in transition.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

The number of cynical fouls by Tigres is piling up. One would think some 🟨 would come out early in the 2nd. FCC showing good poise though. Still too many bad giveaways - especially from Engel.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 09/03/2025

13 touches not good enough for Denkey. Orellano with a 47% possession loss ratio. Defense playing well but big offensive pieces not doing enough. Looking like it’s going to have to be a late Evander salvage job.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 08/03/2025

Very excited to see the flexibility to play a back 4. We’ve been commenting on that possibility since the signing of Engel. Not sold on Baird as a left wing, but he should be very good pressing - underrated as a defensive forward. Kubo, Orelllano, Denkey - should be enough to get this job done.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

Looks like the FCC game plan is cycle the ball side to side, let Evander try to find space, and smack the ball down the channel if he can’t. No complexity to it. Unless Yedlin and Engel can start to participate meaningfully in the attack it’s tough to see it getting better.

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The Rev. Coach Brad Gough @fccincytactalk.bsky.social · 05/03/2025

Tigres pattern of play is designed to force the FCC CBs to defend out wide and the Wingbacks to stay tuned in covering the channels. FCC needs to stay disciplined and not chase the ball.

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Reposted by The Rev. Coach Brad Gough

CincySoccerTalk @cincysoccertalk.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

Talking Tactics will be producing video content on our platforms! What would you like @fccincytactalk.bsky.social to breakdown? Whether you are new to soccer or seasoned veteran of the game, all levels of questions are welcome! Message in the comments or feedback@cincinnatisoccertalk.com

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Reposted by The Rev. Coach Brad Gough

CincySoccerTalk @cincysoccertalk.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

@fccincytactalk.bsky.social is joined by Justin Hoyte, for what just might be the final time, to make predictions for FC Cincinnati's 2025 season. The guys also talk about Justin's new role as assistant coach in the FCC academy, and much more! cincinnatisoccertalk.com/2025/02/21/t...

cincinnatisoccertalk.com

Talking Tactics - 2025 Season Predictions - Cincinnati Soccer Talk

Highlights from this week’s show. Coach Gough is joined by Justin Hoyte, for what just might be the final time, to make predictions for FC Cincinnati’s 2025 season. Will Yuya Kubo start more than 50% ...

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