Jurgen Locadia took to Instagram with a “story” video post Saturday night apologizing to fans for FC Cincinnati’s 5-0 loss at New York City FC earlier in the day.
The second-year FCC player and designated player came off the bench after his team already was trailing 2-0, in the 53rd minute, and an unraveling continued.
The Orange and Blue have never gained a point against NYCFC, and four of the five meetings between the clubs were decided by three goals or more. Saturday’s loss was the worst of the five, and all of the goals came off set pieces.
“I want to apologize for today’s performance,” Locadia said in his video. “Even though I didn’t start in the first 11, I only played 30 minutes, I still feel responsible. I think the whole team should feel responsible and not only the players, the whole staff should feel responsible for today’s loss and I just wanted to say to the fans, like, don’t blame one or two players, you know, the whole squad is responsible for today. And in these times, you’ve got to stay strong as a team, as a club, as a community. I think it’s a bitter pill to swallow. You know, it’s, 5-0. So I just want to say, think about what you comment and think about what you write about someone, you know, because at the end of the day, we are all human, we all make mistakes, and today, we all made mistakes.”
“I think the fans deserve an apology for today’s performance. I think the whole team is responsible. I think the whole squad list who traveled to New York yesterday is responsible. You know, I think from the players to the technical staff, everybody is responsible for today’s loss and there’s not like one or two players to blame here. The first 11, substitutions, we are all responsible for today’s loss and I just want to say to the fans don’t blame one or two players. It’s like even I’m responsible. I didn’t start in the first 11 today. I played like 35 minutes. I feel respond for today’s loss. So I just want to say take your time with comments, take your time when you write blame on someone. At the end of the day, we all make mistakes. You have to stay strong as a team.”
Locadia isn’t vocal about his role with FC Cincinnati on social media but also issued an apology at the end of last season when he finished with just two goals his first season in MLS, as part of a loan from Brighton. His time could be closing when the loan expires June 30, but FCC has the option to purchase his contract if Locadia can prove he is still worth the estimated transfer fee of $8 million that would come with such a decision.
So far, Locadia hasn’t had much of a chance to show his value this season. He injured his thigh during the preseason and didn’t play the final four friendlies. The Dutch left winger came off the bench in the 61st minute last week at Nashville but Stam said Thursday he still needed to build match fitness up to get to a 90-minute performance.
On Saturday, FCC was missing attacking midfielder Luciano Acosta and goalkeeper Przemyslaw Tyton because of injuries, and Allan Cruz and Cody Cropper replaced them, respectively. Acosta suffered an elbow injury that club doctors decided was bad enough he couldn’t travel Friday, and he was seen in Covington on Saturday with a sling on his left arm. Tyton was a late scratch after experiencing tightness in his groin or abdominal areas, according to coach Jaap Stam. Stam said both players need to be further assessed, though he mentioned Acosta as “day-to-day.”
The Orange and Blue will look to bounce back next week when they travel to Orlando City for the final part of a three-game road stretch to open the season. The home opener at TQL Stadium is set for May 16.
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