News

Forward Kyle Greig to Join FC Cincinnati

By Bryan Weigel

Posted on July 10, 2017

It looks as if a former player of FC Cincinnati Head Coach Alan Koch could be joining FCC to finish the 2017 season. Former Vancouver Whitecaps FC standout forward Kyle Greig looks to be joining the Orange & Blue from the Canadian MLS Club. The move has not officially be announced and there has been no comment on if the move is a transfer or loan.

Cincinnati.com’s FC Cincinnati Pat Brennan first reported the presence of Greig while attending training on Monday.

In line w/ story I just tweeted: I see new FCC face at training today: Appears to be Kyle Greg, formerly of Vancouver. @ENQSports @Enquirer

— Pat Brennan (@PBrennanENQ) July 10, 2017

The forward scored 11 goals in the 2016 regular season campaign for USL affiliate Vancouver Whitecaps 2 and an additional 2 goals in the 2016 USL playoffs, helping lead VWC2 to the Western Conference final. The 27-year-old has appeared once for the MLS side in 2017 but has made the game day 18 for almost every match. Greig has also appeared in 2 Canadian Championship matches, 2 CONCACAF Champions League matches and 5 USL matches for Whitecaps 2 in 2017. He has scored 38 goals in 123 career matches as a professional.

What does this mean?

The center forward has been a consistent goal-scoring threat in the USL over the past 4 seasons, 5 if you count 2017. Greig could add depth to a forward pool that has seen both Victor Mansaray and Daryl Fordyce leave the club over the past couple weeks.

I wouldn’t look at Greig to displace Djiby Fall or Danni König in the best XI setup, but he has shown class in his time as a professional. There is a reason that Greig signed an MLS contract with Vancouver in December of 2016. They have to have seen something in the player to give a full-contract to a 27-year-old MLS rookie. VWC coach Carl Robinson has said great things about Greig including that his “mentality and work rate has been excellent.” The familiarity aspect cannot be ignored as well. Coach Alan Koch had plenty of time to observe the forward as the former coach of VWC2. He has seen Greig not only in matches but where the real work is, in training.

At 6 foot 2, Greig is similar to Djiby Fall. He is a towering presence in the box but can impress with his foot skills. Like most MLS bench players he has had minutes hard to come by and that is why he has spent some time back with the USL side. After logging only approx. 2 minutes of MLS play, he has started in 5 USL matches with 7 total shots. Greig has 0 goals in 2017, but Coach Koch may have to call on him soon to open his tally with the congestions of the recent and upcoming schedule taking a toll on his side’s fitness.

Of course, this could be a trial for a long-term signing for the 2018 season. Greig will turn 28 in February and I believe that it could be hard for the Whitecaps to keep him around. Due to certain MLS player age mechanisms, Greig can only qualify for 1 of 24 spots on a roster with spots 25-30 going to players under the age of 24. Like several FCC players, Graig could find a welcome home in Cincinnati and he can continue to impress on a big stage here.

While this could be a good signing for FC Cincinnati, several fans have shown a desire for more on social media. This move could also mean the fan favorite Omar Cummings may be nearing the end of his time with FCC. The Jamaican international has never really made it back after his injury late in 2016 appearing in 3 matches for a total of 37 minutes.

The FIFA transfer deadline in the US has recently opened and I wouldn’t be surprised if there are more moves ahead for the Orange & Blue. Check out some highlights of the newest FC Cincinnati player.