FC Cincinnati selected Ben Mines with the first selection of Wednesday’s End-of-Year Waivers Draft. Pending contract negotiations, the former New York Red Bull will join FC Cincinnati as a Homegrown Player.
Mines made six appearances over three seasons for the New York Red Bulls after signing a Homegrown contract in 2018. He notched two goals and an assist during his time with the first club. Mines also made 51 appearances for the New York Red Bulls II and was named to the USL’s 2018 20 Under 20 list.
The pick is a shrewd move for general manager Gerard Nijkamp. The pacey winger should fit right in coach Jaap Stam’s preferred 4-3-3 formation and could provide some depth to replace the departed Jimmy McLaughlin. Presently, FC Cincinnati has four other wing players on the roster in Alvaro Barreal, Joseph-Claude Gyau, Franko Kovacevic, and Yuya Kubo.
Salary budget-wise, his status as a Homegrown Player would place him in Supplemental Roster spots 25-30 alongside Beckham Sunderland, Zico Bailey and potentially Andrew Gutman. With so few MLS Homegrown players, Nijkamp was able to get in Mines a player who can slot in to the back end of the roster but is more than capable to play meaningful minutes in the league.