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Cincinnati Bolsters Squad with Richey

By USLsoccer.com Staff, 11/22/17, 11:34AM EST

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Whitecaps FC goalkeeper joins club on loan; FCC also adds Seymore, Cicerone, Village


Photo courtesy Sam Ortega / Portland Timbers 2

CINCINNATI – FC Cincinnati continued to make offseason moves on Wednesday as the club announced the addition of goalkeeper Spencer Richey on loan from Vancouver Whitecaps FC for the 2018 USL season.

The addition of Richey was supplemented by the signings of another former duo from Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 in midfielder Will Seymore and goalkeeper Mark Village, and former Portland Timbers 2 midfielder Russell Cicerone. All four signings are pending league and federation approval.

“Spencer is an excellent keeper, who has worked incredibly hard to make it into MLS,” said FCC Head Coach Alan Koch. “He has the potential to be a starting goalkeeper in the MLS, and we are excited to bring him into our squad. I am excited to work with him again and give him the platform to maximize his abilities.”

The 25-year old Richey signed with Whitecaps FC after spending two seasons with Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 in the USL, and made his MLS debut against Toronto FC this past March. Richey brings extensive experience in the USL to Cincinnati, having made 46 appearances in the league over the past three seasons, including helping the club reach the Western Conference Final of the 2016 USL Cup Playoffs. 

Seymore and Village were also part of that WFC2 side, with Seymore having spent the past three seasons in Vancouver where he made 59 appearances for the club. Typically utilized as a holding midfielder, Seymore recorded 31 interceptions and won 20 of 26 tackles in the 2017 USL regular season, while finishing the year with an 81.7 percent passing accuracy rate on 45.7 passes per 90 minutes.

“Will is a very determined and talented midfielder. He has the flexibility to play several positions and I am excited about working with him again,” said Koch. “I don’t think he has peaked as a footballer and will continue to flourish in our training environment. I have personally seen him before at a high level in big games and expect him to have the same success with FCC.”

Village will continue to work alongside Richey in Cincinnati, after having made his USL debut this past season in Vancouver’s 1-1 draw against Real Monarchs SLC on Oct. 7.

“Mark is a fantastic team guy and will come in and fight for playing time,” said Koch. “He has improved every year as a pro and I know will embrace the challenge that lies ahead here in Cincinnati. We look forward to welcoming him to FCC and working with him to have an imprint on our team culture and the quality of our daily work environment.”

Cicerone made 29 appearances for T2 in his rookie season in the USL in 2017, recording 20 key passes as he continued to show the creativity that made him a standout in both the college and PDL ranks. Cicerone claimed the 2016 PDL Championship with the Michigan Bucks, earning Championship Game MVP honors with two goals in a 3-2 victory against Calgary Foothills FC, while collegiately he was named the 2015 Mid-American Conference’s Player of the Year.

“Russell is an incredibly talented young player,” said Koch. “He has the ability to score goals as he showed in college. He had a tough introduction to professional soccer this season but I believe that this experience has set him up for future success. We look forward to working with him and helping him maximize his abilities at the pro level.”

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