When the final whistle blew at TQL Stadium on Sunday, it was an emotional moment for FC Cincinnati 2.
A 3-1 win over Orlando City B on Decision Day sealed the top seed in the East for their first-ever MLS NEXT Pro Playoff appearance.
FCC2 head coach Tyrone Mashall couldn't suppress shedding a happy tear in his postgame presser.
"Looking back over the last two seasons...It's been a long time coming," Marshall said in Sunday's celebrations. "We talk about the guys being really resilient in this group. We talk about how it's a process. When we started (we said) in year three, you should be seeing results...And in year three, top of the East, number one seed.
"It's also a testament to the club sticking with the process. Obviously, trying to get the first team environment right, and in turn, we were in line with those guys."
In line with the first team in more ways than one, could FCC2 be a champion?
At the MLS level, FC Cincinnati endured three wooden spoons before emerging as a playoff lock in the Eastern Conference and winning the Supporters' Shield in 2023.
FCC2 also took their lumps, totaling only 11 wins in their first two seasons combined before their 16-win campaign this year in MLS NEXT Pro.
"We look at the first team and that's the type of attitude and the type of resilience, grind, and this steadfastness that they bring to the game," Marshall said. "So congrats to the guys, congrats to the staff as well, everyone that's behind the scenes who has gone through the struggles with us and been really patient,"
Keep it simple
MLS NEXT Pro is not only a proving ground for the next generation of players. Coaches are also earning their stripes. FCC2's turnaround can, in part, also be attributed to Marshall upping his game in his third season in charge.
There was a two-pronged answer as to what he improved individually in 2024.
"Just being more patient and attention to details in terms of developing the players more from an individual aspect," he said. "In terms of watching the videos, breaking it down with them, but also taking it out on the field and make sure that we're doing it with correction too...They're seeing it live."
That paid off with improved stats across the board in 2024. Their 47 goals for and 34 goals allowed show major progress from the 27-65 and 37-65 clips they posted in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
Marshall was also in a class of 25 MLS system coaches to earn the Elite Formation Coaching Licence (EFCL) hosted by the French Football Federation (FFF) over the offseason.
"I think doing the EFCL course, it emphasized a lot on the development aspect for the players, but also as a coach," he added. "Your journey, finding out who you are, It gave me that clarity of going back to basics and being simple."
Marshall was a Jamaican international whose 14-year playing career included winning two MLS Cups, two Supporters' Shields, and three U.S. Open Cups.
"When I played, the coaches that impacted me the most were the ones who were simple in terms of the explanation," said Marshall. "And that's what I try to pick from and I think it has impacted the players a lot as well."
Playoff mode unlocked
As a feature of MLS NEXT Pro's playoff innovation, FCC2 had selection of their Quarterfinal opponent and arrived at eighth-seeded Crown Legacy FC.
Admittedly the "anti-content pick" by longtime MLS great turned FC Cincinnati Director of Player Pathway Jeff Larentowicz in MLS NEXT Pro's 2024 Pick-Your-Opponent Selection Show, it was always the route FCC2 was going to take.
Marshall dropped that clue in Sunday's postgame conversation before seeing how the seeding shook out.
"You don't want to give any fuel to the opponent. If we look at the eighth seed, that's who we're going to play because we're one and they're eight, then we go with that. Because going in momentum is key, but also you don't want to fuel anything in the fire to give these guys motivation coming here,"
It all combines for what looks to be an exciting playoff run for FC Cincinnati 2, which kicks off on Oct. 20 (7 PM ET | MLS Season Pass on Apple TV) at Scudamore Stadium.
"We want to continue this journey, I think that's the mentality of the group." said Marshall.
